Vietnamese Driving Licence 2026
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about getting your driving licence in Vietnam — GPLX theory test format (35 questions, 600-question bank with điểm liệt), training costs, Decree 168 traffic fines, zero BAC tolerance, 12-point system, and the world's highest motorcycle density.
9,954
Road deaths in Vietnam (2024)
Down 14% from 2023 (11,628) — National Traffic Safety Committee
0.0%
Blood alcohol limit — zero tolerance
Strictest in Southeast Asia — any detectable alcohol is illegal
₫745K
Government exam + licence fees (Class B)
Training school adds ₫15–20M (~$600–800 USD)
Click any card to copy the stat with source attribution
Download InfographicKey Findings
35 multiple-choice questions from a 600-question bank, 22 minutes. Must score 32/35 (91%) to pass. Contains 60 critical "điểm liệt" questions — get any one wrong and you automatically fail regardless of overall score. Computer-based test followed by mandatory simulation test.
Government fees approximately ₫745,000 (theory ₫100,000 + yard test ₫350,000 + simulation ₫100,000 + road test ₫80,000 + licence ₫115,000, per Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC). Full driving school training ₫15–20 million (~$600–800 USD) including all fees. Among the most affordable globally.
9,954 fatalities in 2024 (down 14% from 11,628 in 2023). Motorcycles account for over 60% of all road deaths. Vietnam has 77+ million registered motorcycles — one of the highest motorcycle-to-population ratios worldwide.
Absolute zero tolerance (0.0% BAC) for ALL drivers since January 2020. Three penalty tiers: ≤50 mg — ₫6–8M (cars); 50–80 mg — ₫18–20M; >80 mg — ₫30–40M with 22–24 month licence suspension. Refusing a test carries the highest tier penalty.
New demerit point system effective January 1, 2025. Every licence starts with 12 points. Violations deduct 2–12 points. Reaching zero invalidates the licence — must wait 6 months, complete a refresher course, and pass a knowledge test. 12 consecutive clean months restore all points.
Vietnam's road death rate (~10.0/100K based on 2024 NTSC data) is among the highest in Southeast Asia. Zero BAC policy is the strictest in the region. Licence cost (~$30 govt fees) is extremely affordable. Decree 168 (2025) quadrupled red-light fines for cars to deter violations.
Vietnam Road Safety: 3-Year Trend (2022–2024)
vietnamFacts.roadSafety.intro
2022→2023
-14.2%
2023→2024
-14.4%
Deaths per 100,000 Population
Source: WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety, National Traffic Safety Committee of Vietnam. Per-capita rates are estimates and may vary by methodology.
Vietnamese Theory Test Format#
Computer-based theory test administered at Department of Transport testing centres across Vietnam
The Vietnamese driving theory test (thi lý thuyết) for Class B consists of 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from an official bank of 600 questions, to be completed within 22 minutes. For Class B automatic transmission, the test has 30 questions with 20 minutes, requiring 27/30 correct. To pass the standard Class B, you must answer at least 32 out of 35 correctly (91%). The question bank includes 60 critical questions (câu hỏi điểm liệt) — answering any one of these incorrectly results in automatic failure regardless of your overall score. After passing the theory, candidates must also pass a traffic situation simulation test on specialized software before proceeding to the practical driving test. The test is administered at provincial Departments of Transport across all 34 provinces and cities.
Questions
35 MCQs
From 600-question bank
Duration
22 Min
~38 sec per question
Pass Mark
32/35
91% — plus zero điểm liệt errors
Test Fee
₫100,000
Theory exam fee (from 2026)
What the Theory Test Covers
- Traffic signs, signals & road markings
- Right-of-way rules at intersections
- Speed limits by vehicle type & road class
- Prohibited actions & driving violations
- Pedestrian & cyclist safety rules
- Vehicle inspection & maintenance
- Helmet requirements & safety equipment
- Insurance & registration documents
- Emergency procedures & first aid basics
- Environmental protection rules
- Traffic situation analysis (critical questions)
- Penalty amounts & point deductions
- Alcohol & drug driving laws
- Expressway rules & motorcycle restrictions
- 12-point licence system (from 2025)
How to Get Your Vietnamese Driving Licence#
From driving school to GPLX — the complete process
Get a Medical Certificate
Visit an authorized hospital or clinic for a driving health check
Includes vision test, hearing test, physical fitness assessment. Valid for 6 months. Cost: ₫200,000–500,000.
Enrol at a Driving School
Register at a licensed training centre (trung tâm đào tạo lái xe)
Approximately 235 total hours for B manual (152h theory + 83h practical) or 203 hours for B automatic (136h theory + 67h practical). Total school fee: ₫15–20 million.
Complete Training Course
Attend all required theory and practical driving sessions
Theory covers traffic laws, signs, situations. Practical includes driving course and road driving.
Pass the Theory Test
Take the computer-based theory exam at the provincial Department of Transport
35 questions, 22 minutes, must score 32/35. Watch out for 60 điểm liệt (critical) questions. Fee: ₫100,000 (from 2026).
Pass the Simulation Test
Complete the traffic situation simulation test on specialized software
Required since 2021. Tests hazard perception and decision-making in simulated traffic scenarios.
Pass the Practical Test
Complete the driving course test and on-road driving test
Course test: driving track maneuvers (yard test fee: ₫350,000 for Class B). Road test: real traffic driving (₫80,000).
Receive Your GPLX
Collect your driving licence after passing all tests
Licence issuance fee: ₫115,000. Processing time: 5–10 working days. Credit-card format.
Vietnamese Driving Licence Fees#
Government fees approximately ₫745,000 — driving school fees separate (per Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC)
Government exam and licence fees total approximately ₫745,000. Training school fees vary by region and provider. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi tend to be more expensive. Retake fees apply for failed attempts.
Licence Categories & Minimum Age
Moped — Under 50cc (no licence required)
Age 16+ required
16
years
A1 — Motorcycles up to 125cc
18
years
A — Motorcycles over 125cc
Formerly A2
18
years
B — Cars up to 9 seats, trucks under 3,500 kg
Manual & automatic
18
years
C1 — Trucks 3,500–7,500 kg
New category from 2025
21
years
C — Trucks over 3,500 kg
21
years
D1 — Buses 10–16 seats
New category from 2025
24
years
D2 — Buses 17–29 seats
24
years
D — Buses over 29 seats
27
years
Licence Validity Periods
No expiration — no renewal needed
No expiration — no renewal needed
Flat 10-year validity under 2025 law
Medical exam required for renewal
12-Point Licence System (from 2025)
- Every licence starts with 12 points per year
- Violations deduct 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 points
- Running red light: 4 points deducted
- Drunk driving (mid-tier BAC): 10 points deducted
- All 12 points lost: licence invalidated, 6-month wait + refresher course + retest
Điểm Liệt (Critical Questions)
- 60 critical questions in the 600-question bank
- Getting ANY critical question wrong = automatic test failure
- Cover: drunk driving, wrong-way driving, hit-and-run
- Also cover: racing on public roads, licence fraud
- Most test-takers focus on memorizing these first
Vietnam's speed limits depend on both road type and vehicle category. In urban and densely populated areas, cars are limited to 50 km/h on undivided roads and 60 km/h on divided roads with a physical median. On rural roads outside populated areas, limits increase to 80 km/h (undivided) and 90 km/h (divided). Expressways allow a maximum of 120 km/h for cars, with a minimum speed of 60 km/h. Motorcycles follow lower limits: 50 km/h urban undivided, 60 km/h urban divided, 60 km/h rural undivided, 70 km/h rural divided. Mopeds under 50cc are capped at 40 km/h everywhere. Motorcycles are generally prohibited from expressways.
| Road Type | Cars / Light Vehicles | Motorcycles (>50cc) | Trucks >3.5t / Buses 30+ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban — divided road | 60 | 60 | 60 | Physical median barrier |
| Urban — undivided road | 50 | 50 | 50 | No median barrier |
| Rural — divided road | 90 | 70 | 80 | Physical median barrier |
| Rural — undivided road | 80 | 60 | 70 | No median barrier |
| Expressway | 120 | — | 100 | Motorcycles prohibited |
Urban — divided road
60
Cars
60
Motos
60
Heavy
Physical median barrier
Urban — undivided road
50
Cars
50
Motos
50
Heavy
No median barrier
Rural — divided road
90
Cars
70
Motos
80
Heavy
Physical median barrier
Rural — undivided road
80
Cars
60
Motos
70
Heavy
No median barrier
Expressway
120
Cars
—
Motos
100
Heavy
Motorcycles prohibited
Mopeds under 50cc are limited to 40 km/h on all roads. Expressway limits vary by specific expressway (typically 80–120 km/h). Posted signs always take precedence. Motorcycles are generally prohibited from expressways.
Traffic Fines & Penalties#
As per Decree 168/2024/ND-CP — effective January 1, 2025, with fines up to 4× higher than before
Decree 168/2024 dramatically increased traffic fines across the board, effective January 1, 2025. The most notable change: running a red light in a car now costs ₫18–20 million (up from ₫4–6 million, a roughly 4× increase). Drunk driving at the highest tier (BAC >80 mg/100ml blood) costs ₫30–40 million for cars with 22–24 month licence suspension. The decree also introduced the 12-point demerit system. Speeding fines can reach ₫50 million for extreme cases. Mobile phone use while driving carries ₫4–6 million for cars and ₫800,000–1 million for motorcycles.
| Violation | Car Fine (₫) | Motorcycle Fine (₫) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running red light | 18–20M | 4–6M | 4 |
| DUI — BAC >80 mg/100ml | 30–40M | 8–10M | Suspended |
| DUI — BAC 50–80 mg/100ml | 18–20M | 6–8M | 10 |
| DUI — BAC ≤50 mg/100ml | 6–8M | 2–3M | 4 |
| Speeding 20–35 km/h over | 6–8M | 6–8M | 4 |
| Extreme speeding / reckless | Up to 50M | — | 10 |
| Using phone while driving | 4–6M | 800K–1M | 2–4 |
| No helmet (motorcycle) | — | 400–600K | — |
| No seatbelt (driver) | 800K–1M | — | — |
| Wrong-way on one-way street | 6M | 4–6M | 2 |
| Driving without licence | 10–14M | 1–2M | — |
| Wrong-way on expressway | 16–20M | — | 10 |
Running red light
Points: 4
DUI — BAC >80 mg/100ml
Points: Suspended
DUI — BAC 50–80 mg/100ml
Points: 10
DUI — BAC ≤50 mg/100ml
Points: 4
Speeding 20–35 km/h over
Points: 4
Extreme speeding / reckless
Points: 10
Using phone while driving
Points: 2–4
No helmet (motorcycle)
Points: —
No seatbelt (driver)
Points: —
Wrong-way on one-way street
Points: 2
Driving without licence
Points: —
Wrong-way on expressway
Points: 10
Fines shown are from Decree 168/2024/ND-CP effective January 1, 2025. Refusing an alcohol test carries the same penalty as the highest BAC tier. Fines are in Vietnamese Dong (₫). 1 USD ≈ ₫25,000.
Know These Rules Before Your Theory Test
Traffic fines, speed limits, and the 12-point system are heavily tested in the Vietnamese GPLX theory exam. Practice with real exam-style questions.
Start Practicing for FreeImportant Driving Rules in Vietnam
Drive on the Right
Vietnam uses right-hand traffic. Overtake on the left. On multi-lane roads, motorcycles must use the rightmost lane.
Zero BAC Tolerance
Absolute zero tolerance for ALL drivers since January 2020. Any detectable blood alcohol results in fines starting at ₫2 million (motorcycles) or ₫6 million (cars). Refusing a breath test carries the maximum penalty.
Mandatory Helmet Law
Helmets mandatory for all motorcycle riders and passengers aged 6+. Must meet TCVN 5756:2017 standard with chin strap fastened. Fine: ₫400,000–600,000 per person without helmet.
12-Point Demerit System
Effective January 1, 2025. Each licence has 12 points. Violations deduct 2–12 points. Reaching zero invalidates the licence. 12 consecutive violation-free months restore all points.
Compulsory Insurance
Third-party motor vehicle liability insurance mandatory for all vehicles. Coverage: ₫150M per occurrence (death/injury). Property: ₫50M (motorcycle) / ₫100M (car). Fine for non-compliance: ₫100,000–600,000.
Electronic Toll Collection
Fully electronic toll (ETC) mandatory on all expressways since August 2022. Vehicles must have an ePass or VETC tag. All accounts converted to 'traffic accounts' since October 2025.
Phone Use Prohibited
Handheld phone use prohibited while driving. Cars: ₫4–6M fine + 2–4 points. Motorcycles: ₫800K–1M. Earphones while riding motorcycle also prohibited. Hands-free Bluetooth permitted in cars.
Seatbelt & Child Seats
Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants (front and rear). Child safety seats mandatory from July 1, 2026 for children under 10 or shorter than 1.35m. Children must not sit in front row.
Horn Restrictions
Horn use prohibited 22:00–05:00 in residential areas and near hospitals. Horn is expected when overtaking or at blind corners during daytime. Excessive or inappropriate honking is fined.
Common Road Hazards in Vietnam
9,954 road fatalities in 2024 — know these hazards to stay safe on Vietnamese roads
Motorcycle Swarms
77+ million motorcycles create dense, fast-moving traffic — lane splitting and weaving is the norm, especially in HCMC and Hanoi
Monsoon Flooding
May–November monsoon season brings flash flooding in urban areas. Water hides deep potholes and open manholes
Night Driving Hazards
Unlighted vehicles, pedestrians, and livestock on rural roads after dark. Many motorcycles ride without functioning headlights
Narrow Alleys (Hẻm)
Dense urban alleys with two-way traffic, pedestrians, vendors, and parked motorcycles — require slow speeds and constant awareness
Mixed Traffic
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, hand carts, and pedestrians share the same roads — speed differentials are extreme
Road Construction
Rapid infrastructure development means frequent construction zones with poor signage and sudden lane changes
Vietnam's Key Provinces & Cities
Driving licence administration is handled by the Department of Transport (Sở GTVT) in each of 34 provinces and centrally-governed cities
| Province / City | Type | Capital / Centre | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hà Nội | City | Hà Nội | 8.4M |
| TP. Hồ Chí Minh | City | TP.HCM | 9.4M |
| Đà Nẵng | City | Đà Nẵng | 1.2M |
| Hải Phòng | City | Hải Phòng | 2.1M |
| Cần Thơ | City | Cần Thơ | 1.3M |
| Thừa Thiên Huế | City | Huế | 1.2M |
| Thanh Hóa | Province | Thanh Hóa | 3.7M |
| Nghệ An | Province | Vinh | 3.4M |
| Đồng Nai | Province | Biên Hòa | 3.2M |
| Bình Dương | Province | Thủ Dầu Một | 2.6M |
Hà Nội
Hà Nội · 8.4M
TP. Hồ Chí Minh
TP.HCM · 9.4M
Đà Nẵng
Đà Nẵng · 1.2M
Hải Phòng
Hải Phòng · 2.1M
Cần Thơ
Cần Thơ · 1.3M
Thừa Thiên Huế
Huế · 1.2M
Thanh Hóa
Thanh Hóa · 3.7M
Nghệ An
Vinh · 3.4M
Đồng Nai
Biên Hòa · 3.2M
Bình Dương
Thủ Dầu Một · 2.6M
Vietnam has 34 provinces and centrally-governed cities (reformed from 63 in July 2025). Driving licence testing is administered by the provincial Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông Vận tải). Test availability and wait times vary by province.
Emergency Numbers
All toll-free, available 24/7. {number} is the general emergency and search-and-rescue number.
113
Police (Công an)
114
Fire Department (Cứu hỏa)
115
Ambulance (Cấp cứu)
112
General Emergency / Search & Rescue
111
Child Protection
Common Misconceptions About Driving in Vietnam#
Myth: Foreigners can drive in Vietnam with any international driving permit
Fact: Vietnam only recognizes IDPs from countries that are signatories to the 1968 Vienna Convention. IDPs from countries using the 1949 Geneva Convention (USA, Canada, Australia, Malaysia) are NOT valid in Vietnam. China is not a signatory to either convention and cannot issue IDPs. You must convert to a Vietnamese licence or use a Vienna Convention IDP.
Myth: Traffic rules in Vietnam are just suggestions — nobody follows them
Fact: Since Decree 168/2024 (effective January 2025), enforcement has dramatically increased with fines up to 4× higher. Red-light cameras are widespread in major cities. The 12-point system means repeat offenders lose their licence. Fines are now large enough to be a strong deterrent.
Myth: You can drink a beer and still drive — the limit is low but not zero
Fact: Vietnam has an absolute zero tolerance BAC policy (0.0%) since January 2020 — the strictest in Southeast Asia. ANY detectable alcohol results in fines. Even one beer can trigger the lowest tier penalty of ₫2–3 million for motorcycles or ₫6–8 million for cars.
Myth: Motorcycle licences in Vietnam never need to be renewed
Fact: This one is actually mostly TRUE — A1 and A motorcycle licences have no expiration date (lifetime validity). However, if your licence is damaged or lost, you still need to apply for reissuance. And the new 12-point system can still invalidate your licence through accumulated violations.
Myth: You only need to worry about the 60 critical questions to pass the theory test
Fact: While the 60 điểm liệt questions are the most dangerous (one wrong = automatic fail), you still need 32/35 correct overall. Many test-takers fail not because of critical questions but because they neglect the regular questions. You need to master ALL 600 questions in the bank.
Myth: Helmets are only required for the motorcycle driver, not passengers
Fact: Helmets are mandatory for ALL motorcycle riders AND passengers aged 6 and above under Vietnamese law. The helmet must meet TCVN 5756:2017 standards with the chin strap properly fastened. Fine for no helmet: ₫400,000–600,000 per person.
Recent Changes to Vietnamese Driving Laws#
Key regulatory updates affecting drivers in Vietnam
Child safety seats become mandatory
From July 1, 2026, children under 10 years or shorter than 1.35m must use appropriate child restraint systems in private vehicles. Children cannot sit in the front row. Taxis and buses are exempt.
Decree 168 & 12-point system take effect
Decree 168/2024/ND-CP effective January 1, 2025 — fines increased up to 4× (red light from ₫4–6M to ₫18–20M for cars). The 12-point driver licence demerit system also begins, with violations deducting 2–12 points.
New Road Traffic Order and Safety Law passed
Luật Trật tự, An toàn giao thông đường bộ 2024 passed by the National Assembly, overhauling traffic regulations. Provides legal framework for the 12-point system, updated licence categories, and child seat requirements.
Electronic toll collection becomes mandatory
From August 1, 2022, fully electronic toll collection (ETC) required on all expressways. Cash lanes eliminated. Drivers must register ePass or VETC tags. Over 6 million vehicles registered by 2025.
Simulation test becomes mandatory for driving licence
From June 1, 2022, the traffic situation simulation test became a mandatory component of the driving licence exam. Candidates must pass the simulation on specialized software before proceeding to the practical road test.
Zero BAC tolerance enforced
From January 1, 2020, absolute zero tolerance for blood alcohol (0.0% BAC) took effect for ALL drivers including motorcyclists. Vietnam became one of few countries worldwide with a complete zero-tolerance policy.
How Vietnam Compares Globally#
Vietnam's driving regulations compared to other countries — data compiled from official government sources
| Parameter | Vietnam | Thailand | India | USA | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAC Limit | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Min. Age (Car) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Driving Side | Right | Left | Left | Right | Left |
| Highway Speed | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Test Questions | 35 | 50 | 15–20 | 20–50 | 50 |
| Licence Cost | ~₫745K | ~฿1,000 | ~₹800 | $30–90 | ¥300K+ |
| Road Deaths/yr | 9,954 | 18,218 | 172,890 | 40,901 | 2,678 |
| Deaths/100K | ~10.0 | ~25.4 | 12.5 | 12.2 | ~2.1 |
Strictest in the region — absolute zero for all drivers. Thailand 0.05%, India 0.03%, USA 0.08%, Japan 0.03%.
Same as India and Japan. USA allows from 16, Thailand from 18. Mopeds from 16 in Vietnam.
Same as India. Thailand 120, USA 120 (varies by state), Japan 120 km/h.
Among the cheapest globally for government fees. Full training ₫15–20M (~$600–800). USA $30–90, Japan ¥300K+.
~10.0 per 100K — higher than Japan (2.1) but lower than Thailand (25.4). Motorcycle deaths dominate.
Road deaths: Vietnam 9,954 (Traffic Police Dept 2024), Thailand 18,218 (WHO 2021 estimate), India 172,890 (MoRTH 2023), USA 40,901 (NHTSA 2023), Japan 2,678 (NPA 2023). Per-capita rates: Thailand 25.4, USA 12.2, India 12.5, Japan 2.1 per 100K. Vietnam 9,954 is the police-reported figure; GSO estimates 10,944.
Sources & Methodology
Primary Sources
- Luật Trật tự, An toàn giao thông đường bộ 2024 — National Assembly of Vietnam
- Decree 168/2024/ND-CP — Traffic penalties — Government of Vietnam
- Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT — Speed limits — Ministry of Transport
- National Traffic Safety Committee — Fatality statistics — Ủy ban ATGT Quốc gia
- WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety — World Health Organization
- Cục CSGT — Traffic Police Bureau — Ministry of Public Security
Verification Methodology
Every fact on this page has been cross-referenced against at least two authoritative sources. Our process:
- Primary data collected from Vietnamese legislation and government decrees
- Cross-verified against Ministry of Transport circulars, CSGT data, and WHO reports
- Regional variations noted where applicable (fees differ by province)
- Page reviewed and fact-checked on March 27, 2026
If you find an error, please contact us so we can correct it immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a driving licence cost in Vietnam?
What is the Vietnamese theory test format?
What is the blood alcohol limit in Vietnam?
What are the speed limits in Vietnam?
What are the emergency numbers in Vietnam?
Can foreigners drive in Vietnam?
What is the 12-point licence system?
What are the điểm liệt (critical questions) in the theory test?
Is motorcycle helmet required for passengers in Vietnam?
How long is a Vietnamese driving licence valid?
What documents must I carry while driving in Vietnam?
Are child safety seats required in Vietnam?
How does electronic toll collection work in Vietnam?
What are the main traffic fines under Decree 168/2024?
What is the minimum driving age in Vietnam?
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Pawan Priyadarshi
Founder & Chief Engineer
Data sourced from Vietnamese legislation (Luật TTATGT 2024), Decree 168/2024, Circular 31/2019, Cục CSGT, and WHO. Cross-referenced with multiple authoritative sources for accuracy.
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