Is it possible to convert a foreign driver's license to a Vietnamese driver's license?

Based on Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTV, the following subjects are eligible for a driver's license exchange. To be specific:

- Vietnamese people, foreign residents who have been residing long-term in Vietnam with a Vietnamese driver's license converted from a foreign-issued driver's license, when expired, may apply for a license exchange if desired;

- Foreigners residing, working, or studying in Vietnam, holding a diplomatic ID card, official ID card, temporary residence card, residence card, stay permit, or permanent residence card for a period of 03 months or more, with a valid national driver's license, if wishing to drive in Vietnam, may apply for a corresponding Vietnamese driver's license exchange;

- Foreign tourists driving foreign-registered vehicles in Vietnam, holding a valid national driver's license, if wishing to drive in Vietnam, may apply for a corresponding Vietnamese driver's license exchange;

- Vietnamese nationals (holding Vietnamese nationality) residing, studying, or working abroad with a valid foreign-issued national driver's license, if wishing to drive in Vietnam, may apply for a corresponding Vietnamese driver's license exchange.

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Therefore, if you fall into any of the above categories and are not subject to the cases stipulated in Clause 6, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTV, you are eligible to exchange your Japanese driver's license for a Vietnamese driver's license.

To be specific: Clause 6, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTV is as follows:

- Temporary foreign driver's licenses; international driver's licenses; expired foreign, military, police driver's licenses that are altered, torn, or lack essential elements for exchange, or have discrepancies in identity; foreign driver's licenses not issued by a competent authority;

- Driver's licenses issued by the transport sector which are not in the driver's license information system, license issuance list (management book);

- Military discharge decisions exceeding 06 months from the date of application for exchange for military driver's licenses issued by the Ministry of Defense;

- Persons who do not meet the health standards as prescribed.

Procedures for exchanging foreign driver's licenses for Vietnamese driver's licenses

Based on

- Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTV;- Clause 23, Article 1 of Circular 38/2019/TT-BGTVT;- Circular 188/2016/TT-BTC.

Application dossier

- Application form for exchanging driver's licenses (for Vietnamese as per the form in Appendix 19 issued with this Circular, for foreigners as per the form in Appendix 20 issued with this Circular);

- Translation of the foreign driver's license into Vietnamese with certified translation quality by a Notary Public or the Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, stamped across photographs and attached with the copy of the driver's license; for Vietnamese nationals, consular legalization of the foreign driver's license in accordance with the law on consular certification and legalization, except for cases exempted as per the law;

- Copy of passport (including passport number, name, and photo of the passport holder, validity period, and entry visa page to Vietnam), ID card or citizen ID card, diplomatic or official ID card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, or copy of residence card, stay permit, temporary residence card, permanent residence card, or documents verifying long-term residence in Vietnam for foreigners; in case of suspicion, the license-issuing authority will request verification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, or the Immigration Office under the provincial or municipal police;

When carrying out the procedures for exchanging the driver's license, the driver must take a direct photo at the license-issuing authority and present the originals of the mentioned documents (except for submitted originals) for comparison.

Place of application submission

Direct submission to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (place of residence, stay, temporary residence, or long-term residence registration).

Processing time

No more than 05 working days from the receipt of a complete dossier as prescribed.

Fee

135,000 VND per time as stipulated in the Fee Schedule for the issuance of driver's licenses.

Respectfully!