Procedures for granting international driving licenses to Vietnamese people in 2025

Lawyer Nguyen Thi Thuy, YouMe Law Firm LLC, replied:

Clause 1, Article 28 of Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA regulating the testing, issuance of driving licenses, issuance and use of international driving licenses (effective from March 1, 2025) stipulates the issuance of international driving licenses (IDP) as follows:

1. For Vietnamese people, foreigners with permanent or temporary residence cards in Vietnam, and national driving licenses issued by Vietnam with PET materials that are still valid, the following apply:

a) IDP status: proposed to be granted an IDP according to the form specified in Appendix XVI attached to this Circular and 01 photo measuring 3 x 4 cm;

b) IDP granting procedures:

Individuals must send petitions directly to the Traffic Police Department or the Traffic Police Department or send them via the online public service system.

In case of direct proposal, it is necessary to produce the original national driving license granted by Vietnam, passports, and permanent residents (for foreigners) to carry out the inspection of the accuracy and legality of IDP issuance and must fulfill the obligation to pay the fee when receiving the dossier as prescribed. In case of being sent through the online public service system, the individual declares the instructions and is responsible for the accuracy and legality of the content declared, must fulfill the obligation to pay the fee through the payment function of the online public service system and pay other services according to individual needs.

Agency receiving electronic information import documents; Print appointments to return results after 05 working days from the date of receipt of valid dossiers or send an appointment information paid via the public service system and are responsible for notifying directly or in writing or via the online public service system, the contents that need to be supplemented or amended for individuals within 02 working days from the date of receipt of dossiers;

c) Within 01 working day, from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier as prescribed (including authentication of electronic identification accounts through the electronic identification and authentication system), the Traffic Police Department shall transfer data to the Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of driving licenses;

d) Print and return the driving license at the Traffic Police Department or Traffic Police Department or through the postal service at the request of an individual.

Thus, from March 1, 2025, Vietnamese people with a national driving license issued by Vietnam with PET material that is still valid will be granted an IDP according to the procedures specified above.