Provide consultation on applying for a change of drivers license for foreigners

Subjects can change driver license

Regulation of Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT on driver training, driving testing and issuance of driving licenses for road motor vehicles, specifically stipulate subjects entitled to change driver licenses, including:

• Vietnamese and foreigners are trained, tested, and licensed to drive in Vietnam.

• Drivers whose driving licenses issued by transport authorities are damaged.

• Vietnamese people, foreigners permanently residing in Vietnam who already have a Vietnamese driver license changed from a foreign driver license, upon expiration, if they want to change their driver license.

• Drivers with military driver licenses still unexpired upon discontinuing their service in the army (demobilized, changed jobs, retired, terminated labor contracts in military enterprises, etc.), may change driver licenses if they have demands.

• Retired police officials and soldiers having driving licenses issued after July 31, 1995 by police authorities and remaining valid may apply for renewal if they have demands after retirement or job changing.

• Drivers working in public security whose driving licenses issued before August 01, 1995 are damaged may apply for renewal if they have demands and their names are in the database.

• Foreigners residing, working and studying in Vietnam for at least 03 months, having Diplomatic or Official Identity Card, Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, stay permits and unexpired native driving licenses may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam.

• Foreign tourists driving overseas-registered cars into Vietnam and having unexpired native driving licenses may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam.

• Vietnamese people (Vietnamese nationality) having unexpired driving licenses issued by other countries while residing, working and studying there may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam.

Conditions for changing driver's license for foreigners in Vietnam

• Foreigners who have resided, worked or studied in Vietnam for 3 months or more.

• The foreign driver license still has all the necessary conditions: the expiry date, the class of the vehicle allowed to drive, no signs of erasing or tearing, and no identification difference.

• Do not change temporary foreign driver license, international driving license.

Procedures on changing driver license for foreigners in Vietnam

Article 41(1) of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT stipulates the procedures on changing driver license as follows:

Step 1. Submit application

- The driver makes 01 dossier and sends it directly to the Competent agency (where registered for residence, stay, temporary residence or permanent residence).

The application includes:

+ An application for change of driver license according to the prescribed form (for foreigners).

+ The translation of the foreign driver's license into Vietnamese is guaranteed by the translation quality of the notary agency or the Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works and affixes a seal adjacent to the copy of the driver license.

+ Copy of passport (including passport number, full name and photo of the driver, expiry date and visa page for entry into Vietnam).

+ A copy of one of the following documents: residence card, temporary residence card, permanent residence card, documents verifying long-term residence in Vietnam.

- Vietnamese present consular legalized driver licenses in accordance with the law on consular certification and legalization, except for cases exempted by law.

Step 2. Get results

The time to process the application for changing the driver license is no more than 05 working days from the date of receipt of the complete application as prescribed. 

Consultation on applying for a change of foreigner's drivers license that Siglaw provides:

“Customer satisfaction is Siglaw's measure of success. With us, every customer is a brand ambassador!”

Therefore, Siglaw takes care of each customer in the most thoughtful way, when using Siglaw's applying for a change of foreigner's driver license consultancy, customers will receive most enthusiastic support as follows:

1. Assist in the preparation of necessary documents and information and compose the entire application for changing foreign driver license.

2. Answer and provide consultation on legal provisions related to applying for a foreign driver's license to be changed.

3. Guide and assist customers in completing the application form.

4. Support customers carry out all procedures at the Department of Transport.

5. Provide consultation on relevant legal advantages.

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