Indefinite Drivers License for expats

0POSTS

10 years ago

Does anyone know if it is truly possible for an expat to get a VNese drivers license with an indefinite expiration date. I have spoken to expats that have been able to "Get" them with no test, no nothing,,but money. These are for A1 and B1's, but I have been told you can get an A2 as well. A little dubious of all that can be bought here. Sure you can have someone print anything official up. But if stopped, do they run it through a database? If there are indeed no "indefinite" expiration dates, won't it be obvious that the license was "purchased". What hen will you be summarily deported.

See also

Driving in Vietnam - Guide
Associations for expatriates in Vietnam - Business
Renewed Vietnamese drivers license in B矛nh D瓢啤ng - 5 Replies
Vietnamese drivers license - 2 Replies
Vietnam driver's license? - 12 Replies
Drivers license - 12 Replies
US drivers licences for expats - 32 Replies

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

Well you can transfer them from your local licence.

I think A1 and maybe A2 have no exp date, even if card has one. B1 and B2 have ending dates.
I have A2 and B2 with ending dates in 2019
I did use my European licence to get them.

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

Ou, and you can check that your card is valid from online before you pay.
and only pay after you check that it is valid.

ou and only one time I was asked licence, rest of the times only money

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

Does the absence of the hologram make a difference?

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

I would say yes, but then again if you get right information from
(Right top corner) i would say no.

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

yeah if I could read that link I would not need to come on here and ask stupid questions. Unfortunately I don't read VNese. But thanks for the link.

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

You don't need to read Vietnamese, just enter card number to that field and if you get back your name and licence classes and exp dates right it is a valid card. Before you check that don't give money. If they agree then it is fine. If not walk away

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

Thanks. In will have to get someone who can read it to tell me where to enter the info. Good information to have.

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

No need to get anybody to read..

Number what you need is in circled red.. That you need to enter the website box on top right corner.

Enter the numbers to the box and click.. and if you get right name and licence classes then it is valid card and you can pay them.

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#10

Thanks. You have been a great help.

Dukerider03 Active member

26POSTS

10 years ago

#11

hi Guys
i want to transfer my Australian DL to a Vietnamese DL, i have tried once but was told my visa only had 3 weeks (I'm using a tourist visa), they said once i renew my visa they wil issue me a 3 month vietnamese DL?? but i have been told i can get a Vietnamese DL for the same time as my Australian DL. any ideas?

thanks

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

#12

Dukerider03 wrote:
hi Guys
i want to transfer my Australian DL to a Vietnamese DL, i have tried once but was told my visa only had 3 weeks (I'm using a tourist visa), they said once i renew my visa they wil issue me a 3 month vietnamese DL??
but i have been told i can get a Vietnamese DL for the same time as my Australian DL. any ideas?

thanks

What do you mean? same time? Do you mean exp date? if so, then no... Not anymore you do.
They did change the law and nowadays you get your license valid only how long as your visa is valid.

I have one contact who might help you, but he is in HCM. You need somebody who knows somebody
and maybe it can be done, as we know money goes long way in Vietnam.

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#13

I understand that for a car there is no license legal with an indefinite expiration. They can be bought but I personally would not use one. RED FLAG to the police!

70 years old Serial expat

581POSTS

10 years ago

#14

Indefinite Driver's licenses did exist. The current DL contains a computer chip to prevent counterfeiting.聽 Counterfeit DL(s) have long been a big issue. For those of us who obtain VN DL(s) by presenting our valid foreign DL, the VN DL will expire based on either the expiration date of the foreign DL or the passport expiration date, witch ever comes first.

Note, the VN DL for foreigners isn't actually a DL. It is a legal translation of one's foreign DL and makes your foreign DL legal in Viet Nam. You are required to have both in your possession when driving.

On my 3rd VN DL

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

#15

70 years old wrote:
Indefinite Driver's licenses did exist. The current DL contains a computer chip to prevent counterfeiting.聽 Counterfeit DL(s) have long been a big issue. For those of us who obtain VN DL(s) by presenting our valid foreign DL, the VN DL will expire based on either the expiration date of the foreign DL or the passport expiration date, witch ever comes first.

I think this was old way of doing,聽 these days DL EXP is based on your visa or your TRC.聽

70 years old wrote:
Note, the VN DL for foreigners isn't actually a DL. It is a legal translation of one's foreign DL and makes your foreign DL legal in Viet Nam. You are required to have both in your possession when driving.

On my 3rd VN DL

This I'm not sure, as my VN DL is same than normal VN license, and police never ask original even.
if it would be International driving permit then this would be true.

motorcycle license is still indefinite (A1/A2/A3) and it is valid even if exp date is gone (mind you that this information was read online about over year ago and not remember the source) ,but car license has exp date always.

im still upset that they did not give me truck license only B2... well.. at least I can drive taxi聽

-JohnD- Serial expat

257POSTS

10 years ago

#16

The only way to get a license without an expiration date is to take the tests. Otherwise, previous posters are correct that the courtesy license expires with your visa. To get it to expire with your license requires an extra gift, the amount of which depends on with whom you are working.

herbj Member

23POSTS

10 years ago

#17

My Aussie Licence has another 9yrs left on it and soon I will have another 5 Yr Visa. My Vietnam Licence will be valid for the duration of the Visa.
I have renewed my Vietnam licence 3 times.

70 years old Serial expat

581POSTS

10 years ago

#18

Wald0 wrote:
70 years old wrote:
Indefinite Driver's licenses did exist. The current DL contains a computer chip to prevent counterfeiting.聽 Counterfeit DL(s) have long been a big issue. For those of us who obtain VN DL(s) by presenting our valid foreign DL, the VN DL will expire based on either the expiration date of the foreign DL or the passport expiration date, witch ever comes first.

I think this was old way of doing,聽 these days DL EXP is based on your visa or your TRC.聽

70 years old wrote:
Note, the VN DL for foreigners isn't actually a DL. It is a legal translation of one's foreign DL and makes your foreign DL legal in Viet Nam. You are required to have both in your possession when driving.

On my 3rd VN DL

This I'm not sure, as my VN DL is same than normal VN license, and police never ask original even.
if it would be International driving permit then this would be true.

motorcycle license is still indefinite (A1/A2/A3) and it is valid even if exp date is gone (mind you that this information was read online about over year ago and not remember the source) ,but car license has exp date always.

im still upset that they did not give me truck license only B2... well.. at least I can drive taxi聽

70 years old Serial expat

581POSTS

10 years ago

#19

"This I'm not sure, as my VN DL is same than normal VN license, and police never ask original even."

Checked out my new, "with computer chip," DL more closely. Unlike my old one, the new one does not have my previous American DL number. My DL is A1, B1 and allows me to drive a truck not exceeding 3,500 kg that is not used for commercial purpose. Reading both the Vietnamese and English versions, it is unclear to me if the commercial use is not allowed period on any vehicle or just on a truck. Most places do require a professional level DL in order to drive commercially. In my State that is called a CDL and is much more difficult to obtain than a regular DL. I had to parallel park an 18 wheeler with trailer in, if memory serves a 100 foot space.

In Japan, in the mid 1970's when I was stationed at NAS Atsugi as the Navy version of a traffic cop; except for motorcycles and mini-cars with less than 360 cc engines, Driving was a "Professional Action.

While it was simple for us Servicemen to get an off base endorsement on our Military DL that covered personally owned vehicles, we were still held to "professional" CDL level in the States standards or even more standards.

To quote as best as memory serves from a Japanese Police investigation of one of our people who killed a Japanese Civilian in an automobile accident. Note, our personal were there as well and agreed with the accuracy of Japanese Police report.

The Japanese was a known alcoholic who was thrown out of several bars for being too drunk. He was wearing black cloths and riding a bicycle with no lights or reflectors at 02:00 in the morning with an overcast night with no streetlights nearby and witnesses had previously seen him riding the bicycle erratically and weaving all over both sides of the road. His blood alcohol was 0.3% measured posthumously.

As the Japanese Police determined by measuring determined by measuring skid marks in the road, our Sailor was driving within the legal speed limit and in the proper lane when he hit the Japanese Civilian. Examining the filaments of the broken headlight, The Japanese Police the headlights of the car were on at the time of the accident.

Personally, I can't think of a more cut and dried case of total innocence for our Sailor. Except for a Japanese Police escort to give "I'm sorry Money" to the family, our sailor was prohibited from setting foot outside US Military property until his case was settled.

Due largely to the request of the family that no charges be pressed, no charges were pressed. The family of the decedent, thought that our sailor was a nice, polite and respectful man who hadn't done anything wrong and that our Sailor did not cause the fatal accident and was blameless for the death.

Final result, our Sailor was declared persona non grata for life and had to be flown by military aircraft from our base out of Japan.

Viet Nam is actually a lot more reasonable about this sort of thing than Japan was/is? But I've heard similar horror stories about some other Asian Countries.

My point is that, unless you have a VN CDL equivalent do not drive commercially in Viet Nam. I'm far from convinced that what we have is a VN CDL.

Sam

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

#20

In Finland I have A for motorcycles ,B license what is vehicles max 3500kg and C over 3500kg

Not sure was that C license reason why I got B2 or what. Mind you that in Hanoi with same license i got only A1 and B1, and聽 was told that foreigners are not allowed to drive big bikes (what I knew was utter bs) but in HCM, with same papers I got A2/B2.

I think you would need B2 and should get that. It is just how they translate your license to Vietnamese.

70 years old Serial expat

581POSTS

10 years ago

#21

If I understand you, your Finland "C" DL is what we call a CDL in the US. In the US loosing a CDL is much quicker than loosing a "civilian" DL.

At my age, now 71, I have no interest in driving a vehicle for a living. I also have no need for the income as my wife and I have US Social Security, and investment income. I also have US Military retirement income. My Military retired Medical also is valid world wide and covers my wife as well. What the US and Viet Nam are both concerned with is my eyesight. So far it is good and if it goes bad, I'll need to stop driving.

Vagabondone Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#22

I live in HCM now, teaching English and the company I work for keeps changing the rules so I have had no luck there.聽 I'm heading to Mui Ne on the 7 Feb and would really like to take a bike license with me.聽 I also need it for work as I rent a scooter from the company.聽 I have a South African drivers license and a bike license.聽 I'm also on a tourist visa which the laws have now recently changed for this so now only sit with a 1 month visa and would like a license for a much longer period if possible.聽 Please let me know your contacts details please, would be most appreciative.
Thanks
Renate

Dukerider03 Active member

26POSTS

10 years ago

#23

Wald0 wrote:
Dukerider03 wrote:
hi Guys
i want to transfer my Australian DL to a Vietnamese DL, i have tried once but was told my visa only had 3 weeks (I'm using a tourist visa), they said once i renew my visa they wil issue me a 3 month vietnamese DL??
but i have been told i can get a Vietnamese DL for the same time as my Australian DL. any ideas?

thanks

What do you mean? same time? Do you mean exp date? if so, then no... Not anymore you do.
They did change the law and nowadays you get your license valid only how long as your visa is valid.

I have one contact who might help you, but he is in HCM. You need somebody who knows somebody
and maybe it can be done, as we know money goes long way in Vietnam.

yeah i did mean for same period as my ADL, I'm here in HCM i do know somebody but i think not the right somebody lol. yeah sure if you pay but the thing is how much do you pay? your contact is reliable ?

Wald0 Serial expat

335POSTS

10 years ago

#24

I think he is, you don't pay anything before you get the license. And he will send you the picture of your license so you can check online that it is valid. And great thing was that he could send it to me in his Hanoi office. Only thing what i did not like was flying to HCM

)

If I remember correct I paid him 70usd and french girl had to pay him more as he wanted longer exp date.

Prosess it self was very fast. Met him and gave him papers and I filled one paper and then instead of waiting in line he took us straight in after waiting few minutes.

Dukerider03 Active member

26POSTS

10 years ago

#25

Thanks very much for all the info, $70 is a reasonable price, I have a vietnamese gf so she can help me with any paper work.
Do you need to contact him on my be half or can I contact him directly ?, that's if your will and have the time to help?
Many thanks