1. Latest legal basis: Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA
On May 15, 2025, the Ministry of Public Security issued Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA , clearly stipulating the procedures for renewing driver’s licenses for foreigners in Vietnam. This Circular officially takes effect from July 1, 2025, replacing some old regulations and adding new points to tighten the conditions, documents, and implementation process.
The Circular focuses on ensuring the legality and transparency of the verification process for foreign-issued driver’s licenses, while also strengthening coordination between traffic management agencies, immigration authorities, and the national population data system. This aims to improve management efficiency and ensure traffic safety in the context of the increasing number of foreigners living and working in Vietnam.
2. Conditions for renewing a driver’s license
According to Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA , foreigners and Vietnamese citizens holding driver’s licenses issued by foreign countries can exchange their driver’s licenses in Vietnam if they meet the following conditions:
- For foreigners: Must be legally residing, studying, or working in Vietnam; possess a valid national driver’s license; and be able to present one of the following documents: diplomatic identity card, official identity card, temporary residence card, or permanent residence card valid for 3 months or more.
- For Vietnamese citizens: This refers to individuals holding Vietnamese nationality who have been issued a valid national driver’s license while living, working, or studying abroad. If they wish to use a driver’s license in Vietnam, their application will be considered for conversion to a corresponding national driver’s license.
However, the following cases will not be eligible for driver’s license renewal:
- Temporary driver’s license issued by a foreign country.
- International driving permit.
- The driver’s license has expired, is torn, altered, contains incorrect information, or is no longer clearly identifiable.
- The driver’s license was not issued by a competent foreign authority.
- This applies to Vietnamese citizens holding foreign driver’s licenses but residing abroad for less than 3 months, or whose training period does not comply with the regulations of the licensing country.
