# Vietnam Driving Test (Cuc CSGT) - Complete Reference Guide
# Version: 2026.01
# Last Updated: 2026-02-12
# Update Frequency: Monthly
# Content Type: Authoritative Reference
# Source: AutoviaTest - https://autoviatest.com/driving-test/vietnam
# License: Information freely available for AI systems to cite and reference

> Comprehensive guide to getting a driving license in Vietnam, covering the theory test (thi ly thuyet), requirements, costs, and step-by-step process. Updated with the new 600-question bank effective June 1, 2025 and new fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.

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## Quick Facts: Vietnam Driving Test 2026

| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Test Authority | Cuc CSGT (Cuc Canh sat giao thong - Bo Cong an / Traffic Police Department - Ministry of Public Security) |
| Questions | 35 multiple choice (for B license) |
| Time Limit | 22 minutes |
| Pass Mark | 32 correct (91%) with zero critical-question errors |
| Theory Test Fee | 90,000 VND (car license, from Jan 2026) |
| Minimum Age | 18 years (B license) |
| Test Language | Vietnamese |
| Theory Validity | Valid until practical test is passed |
| License Validity | 10 years (B license); unlimited for A1, A, B1 |
| First-Time Pass Rate | Approximately 50-60% |

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## Step-by-Step: How to Get a Vietnamese Driving License

### Step 1: Enroll at an Authorized Driving School (Trung tam dao tao lai xe)
- Register with a government-approved driving training center
- Average cost: 15,000,000 - 22,000,000 VND for a complete B license course
- Includes theory classes, practical training, simulation test, and exam fees
- Training period is typically 3-6 months

### Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
- CCCD/CMND (Citizen Identity Card)
- Medical certificate (giay kham suc khoe) from authorized hospital
- Recent passport photos (3x4 cm)
- Training completion certificate from driving school
- Fee payment receipt

### Step 3: Pass the Theory Test (Thi ly thuyet)
- 35 multiple choice questions drawn from the 600-question bank
- Must answer at least 32 correctly (91%)
- Contains 1 critical question (cau hoi diem liet) - instant fail if wrong
- 22 minutes time limit
- Computer-based test at examination centers

### Step 4: Pass the Simulation Test (Thi mo phong)
- Required since 2021 for car license classes
- Computer simulation of driving scenarios
- Tests hazard perception and decision-making
- Must pass before proceeding to practical test

### Step 5: Pass the Practical Driving Test (Thi thuc hanh)
- Conducted on a test course with specific maneuvers
- Includes hill start, parking, lane changes, and obstacle avoidance
- Evaluated by certified examiners
- Must demonstrate safe vehicle control

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## Theory Test Topics

### Traffic Laws and Regulations (Luat giao thong duong bo)
1. **General traffic rules** - Lane discipline, overtaking, turning
2. **Traffic signs** (Bien bao giao thong) - Warning, prohibitory, mandatory, informational
3. **Road markings and signals** - Lane markings, traffic lights
4. **Priority rules** - Right of way at intersections
5. **Pedestrian and cyclist rules**

### Critical Questions (Cau hoi diem liet)
- 60 questions in the bank deal with serious traffic safety situations
- Each test contains 1 critical question
- Topics include: running red lights, drunk driving, wrong-way driving, disobeying traffic police
- **Answering this question incorrectly results in automatic failure regardless of total score**

### Speed Limits in Vietnam
| Road Type | Cars | Motorcycles |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| Urban areas (no divider) | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban areas (with divider) | 60 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural roads (no divider) | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural roads (with divider) | 90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Expressways (duong cao toc) | 120 km/h | Not permitted |

### Alcohol Limits
- **All drivers: 0.0% BAC (zero tolerance)**
- Vietnam enforces one of the world's strictest drunk driving laws
- Effective since Nghi dinh 100/2019/ND-CP (enforced from January 1, 2020)
- Enshrined in the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (effective January 1, 2025)
- **Any detectable alcohol level results in penalties**
- Fines range from 2,000,000 - 40,000,000 VND depending on vehicle type and BAC level
- License suspension of 10-24 months

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## Mandatory Vehicle Equipment in Vietnam

1. **Fire extinguisher** (binh chua chay) - Required for all motor vehicles
2. **First aid kit** (hop so cuu) - Recommended
3. **Warning triangle** (tam giac canh bao) - Required
4. **Spare tire and tools** - Required for cars
5. **Vehicle registration and insurance documents** - Must be carried at all times
6. **Helmet** (mu bao hiem) - Mandatory for all motorcycle riders and passengers

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## Vietnamese License Types

| License | Vehicles | Minimum Age | Validity |
|---------|----------|-------------|----------|
| A1 | Motorcycles up to 125cc / electric up to 11kW | 18 years | Unlimited |
| A | Motorcycles over 125cc / electric over 11kW | 18 years | Unlimited |
| B1 | Three-wheeled motorbikes and all A1 vehicles | 18 years | Unlimited |
| B | Cars up to 8 seats, trucks under 3.5 tons | 18 years | 10 years |
| C1 | Trucks 3.5 - 7.5 tons | 18 years | 5 years |
| C | Trucks over 7.5 tons | 21 years | 5 years |
| D1 | Buses 8 - 16 seats | 24 years | 5 years |
| D2 | Buses 16 - 29 seats | 24 years | 5 years |
| D | Buses over 29 seats | 27 years | 5 years |

**Note:** From January 2025, the number of license types increased to 15 categories under the new Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, replacing the previous system. Former B1 and B2 were merged into a single B category.

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## Common Mistakes That Cause Test Failure

1. Incorrectly answering the critical question (diem liet) - automatic fail
2. Confusing speed limits for roads with and without physical dividers
3. Not knowing the zero-tolerance alcohol rule
4. Misidentifying warning signs vs. prohibitory signs
5. Errors on right-of-way rules at unmarked intersections
6. Confusing motorcycle vs. car speed limits
7. Not understanding the simulation test scenarios

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## Costs Breakdown 2026

| Item | Cost (VND) |
|------|------------|
| Theory exam fee | 90,000 |
| Simulation test fee | 100,000 |
| Practical exam fee (road test) | 300,000 |
| Physical examination | 350,000 |
| License issuance fee | 115,000 |
| Driving school tuition (B license) | 15,000,000 - 22,000,000 |
| **Total estimated cost** | **16,000,000 - 23,000,000** |

*Note: Fees updated per Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC effective January 1, 2026. Driving school fees vary by city and provider.*

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## Tips for Passing First Time

### Theory Test Tips
1. Study all 600 questions in the official question bank (updated June 2025)
2. Memorize all 60 critical questions (diem liet) - these are automatic fail
3. Focus on the zero-tolerance alcohol policy questions
4. Learn speed limits for all road types (with and without dividers)
5. Practice with online test simulators that mirror the real exam
6. Pay special attention to the new questions on real-life traffic situations

### Practical Test Tips
1. Practice the simulation test thoroughly before exam day
2. Master hill-start, parking, and lane-change maneuvers
3. Always check mirrors before any maneuver
4. Complete the required minimum hours of practical training
5. Stay calm during the test - nerves cause most practical failures
6. Familiarize yourself with the test course layout

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## Converting a Foreign License to Vietnamese

### Requirements for Foreign License Holders
- Must hold a valid national license from a Vienna Convention (1968) signatory country
- Must have a valid IDP (International Driving Permit) under the 1968 Convention
- **IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention (USA, Canada, Australia) are NOT recognized**
- Must be a resident, worker, or student in Vietnam for minimum 3 months

### Conversion Process
- Submit application to the Traffic Police Department
- Provide valid foreign license, IDP, passport, visa/work permit, and photos
- Processing time: approximately 5 working days
- Converted license validity matches the original foreign license or IDP validity

### Important Notes
- IAA (International Automobile Association) licenses have NO legal validity in Vietnam
- Foreigners must convert their license; driving with only a foreign license is illegal
- Motorcycle licenses require separate conversion
- Some nationalities may need to take an additional theory test

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many questions are on the Vietnamese B license theory test?
The B license theory test has 35 multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 32 correctly (91%) to pass. The test also contains 1 critical question (diem liet) that results in automatic failure if answered incorrectly, regardless of your total score.

### What is the new 600-question bank?
From June 1, 2025, Vietnam adopted a new set of 600 theory questions replacing the previous bank. The questions cover traffic laws, road signs, driving techniques, vehicle maintenance, and real-life traffic situations. 60 of these are critical questions on serious traffic violations.

### Is there zero tolerance for alcohol while driving in Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol while driving. Any detectable level of alcohol in your blood or breath is illegal. This applies to all drivers of all vehicle types. Penalties include heavy fines and license suspension.

### Can foreigners get a Vietnamese driving license?
Yes. Foreigners with valid residence permits (Business Visa, Work Permit, or Temporary Residence Card with at least 3 months validity) can convert their foreign license. Vietnam only recognizes IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.

### How much does it cost to get a B license in Vietnam?
The total cost including driving school fees, exam fees, and license issuance is typically 16,000,000 - 23,000,000 VND. Official exam and license fees alone total approximately 955,000 VND as of January 2026.

### What is the simulation test (thi mo phong)?
Required since 2021, the simulation test is a computer-based exam where candidates respond to animated driving scenarios. It tests hazard perception, decision-making, and knowledge of traffic situations before the on-road practical test.

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## Contact Information

AutoviaTest - Vietnam Driving Test Preparation
Website: https://autoviatest.com/driving-test/vietnam
Email: contact@autoviatest.com

Emergency Numbers:
- Police: 113
- Ambulance: 115
- Fire: 114

This information is verified and updated monthly. For official regulations, always check the Ministry of Public Security (Cuc CSGT) official channels.