How Can Brits Drive Legally in Vietnam?

Everyone riding in Vietnam is required to have 2 things, a domestic motorbike license and a 1968 International Drivers Permit, IDP, with a motorbike stamp. For British people this makes it very easy as this is the IDP that is available in the UK.

The 1968 International Drivers Permit

In the UK there are 2 types of IDP available, the 1949 and the 1968 convention. Only the 1968 is valid in Vietnam. It is important that you make sure you are getting the 1968 IDP. If you have the 1949 version, you can get issues with being fined or potentially making your insurance invalid. 

To get the 1968 IDP is very easy so long as you have a British motorbike license. To do this you just go to a Paypoint shop with a passport sized photo and they will process this straight away for you. The cost is just £5.50. You can find the closest shop here.

Make sure that you have a stamp on A1 or A. Which one you will get will depend on which UK license you have. 

Domestic Driver’s License

In the UK there are 3 types of domestic motorbike license with the A1 and the full A matching the Vietnamese licenses.  A1 up to 125cc and the A being unrestricted. The A2 license in the UK is something that is not used in Vietnam. 

A2 in the UK means you are allowed up to 35kW, which translates to about 500cc. In Vietnam this would be considered a large motorbike already and it is unlikely you would want to rent a bike over this size anyway. But if you have A2 and the IDP has the A stamp then you should have no issues in Vietnam with the police. 

A vs A1 Stamp

In Vietnam from 2025 the law states that a A1 license allows you to ride up to a 125cc motorbike while an A stamp would allow for any size bike. A matching domestic license is also required. 

We have bikes within both of these ranges, so if you have either of these then we will have bikes that you can legally rent. 

Before 2025 the Vietnamese A1 license allowed up to 175cc. Meaning if your IDP and your domestic license are from before 2025 then you should be allowed to drive up to 175cc but there is a risk that you police will still try and fine you in this instance.

AM License & Car License

An AM License in the UK means that you can ride a 50cc bike or scooter, but in Vietnam you do not need a license to ride this sized bike. So having an AM license means nothing in Vietnam.

Having a car license only means that you do not have any motorbike license in Vietnam so will count for nothing. 

Where are you likely to be checked?

In the Ha Giang Loop is where the police regularly check drivers to ensure they have the correct license. When riding here expect to be checked and ensure you have the right documents on hand. 

If you have the wrong license, no license or have just lost it then when you are here you will be fine. The police could also take the bike or make you finish the trip in Ha Giang. The fine is usually 2-3mil vnd, and you could potentially be fined more than once. 

Travel Insurance

It is always best to check with your travel insurance to ensure what is needed for you to be covered. If you have the correct domestic motorbike license and the correct IDP then you should be covered although it is best to make sure that your insurance policy covers you riding motorbikes as this is often an additional part. 

Summary

If you are coming to Vietnam then you want to get 2 documents. 

1 – The domestic motorbike license with the A1, A2 or A category. 

2 – The 1968 IDP from Australia with the A1 or A stamp. 

A1 will allow you to ride up to 125cc, A stamp will allow unrestricted. 

If you have the A2 with A on the IDP then this should be 500cc, if with A1 on the IDP then just 125cc.