Safety + Legality
International Driving Permit for Vietnam: Which IDP Do You Need?
We get shown a lot of International Driving Permits at the shop, and the first thing we check is not simply whether the rider has one. We check which IDP it is and what national licence sits behind it. An IDP on its own is not a motorcycle licence.
Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. In practical terms, that means the rider needs a recognised 1968 Convention IDP, the corresponding valid national driving licence and motorcycle entitlement that covers the bike being ridden.
Vietnam Uses the 1968 Convention IDP Route
Vietnam acceded to the 1968 Vienna Convention in 2014 and the Convention entered into force for Vietnam in 2015. Current Vietnamese law expressly recognises an IDP issued under that Convention when it is used together with the corresponding national licence.
This is why we keep asking riders to look at the convention year. Your permit can be completely genuine and properly issued and still be the wrong one for Vietnam. Genuine does not automatically mean valid everywhere.
The IDP and national licence work together
The easiest way to understand it is to treat the IDP as a companion to your normal licence. Your home licence is still where the actual entitlement comes from. If that licence has expired, is car-only or does not cover the motorcycle you want to ride, the IDP cannot fix it.
How to Check Your IDP Before You Travel
Do not judge an IDP by the colour of the booklet, the words printed on the front or the fact that somebody accepted it in another country. Open it and check what you actually have. This takes a minute and can save a lot of trouble later.
First, confirm that it identifies the 1968 Vienna Convention. Next, check that your national licence is still valid and that the motorcycle category on the IDP corresponds to real motorcycle entitlement on that licence. Finally, compare the expiry dates. Vietnamese law defines a 1968 IDP as valid for no more than three years from issue and not beyond the validity of the national licence.
Do not assume a three-month expiry after entry
Older articles often repeat a blanket rule that every IDP automatically stops working three months after entry into Vietnam. Our current legal review did not find a Vietnamese primary source supporting that blanket claim, so we are not carrying it forward.
What About 1949 IDPs, AAA and Private ‘International Licences’?
| Document | What it is | Vietnam position |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 Convention IDP | Official Convention Permit | Recognised route when used with the corresponding valid national licence |
| 1949 Convention IDP | Genuine but different Convention permit | Not the Convention route Vietnam recognises for this purpose |
| AAA/AATA U.S. IDP | Legitimate U.S.-issued 1949 IDP | Genuine document, but uses the 1949 Convention |
| Private “international driving licence” | May be a translation card or privately issued document | Do not assume it provides legal riding entitlement |
There is a lot of bad advice online about 1949 IDPs, and some of it goes too far. A genuine 1949 Convention IDP is not automatically fake. The problem is simpler: Vietnam’s recognised foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Convention, so a perfectly real 1949 permit can still be the wrong document for riding here.
The U.S. Department of State identifies AAA and AATA as authorised U.S. IDP issuers, but U.S. IDPs use the 1949 Convention standard. That means an AAA permit should not be called fraudulent simply because it does not solve the Vietnam 1968 question.
Private translation cards or documents sold as ‘international driving licences’ are another matter. Check the issuer, the convention wording and the national licence behind the document rather than trusting the branding.
A Valid IDP Does Not Let You Ride Any Motorcycle
The permit is only as broad as the motorcycle entitlement on the national licence. If your home licence is restricted to a smaller class, the IDP does not remove that restriction.
This matters with rental bikes. The Honda XR150L, XR190L and CB500X are all above 125cc. If your underlying entitlement does not cover that class of motorcycle, a valid-looking IDP cannot make the mismatch disappear. The Vietnam motorbike licence for foreigners guide owns the detailed A1/A and legacy-licence explanation.
What If the IDP Route Does Not Work for You?
If the paperwork does not work, do not plan the trip around hoping nobody checks it. That may get you through a rental counter somewhere, but it does not solve the underlying problem if you are stopped or have an accident.
A qualifying resident may be able to exchange a national licence into the corresponding Vietnamese class, while a qualifying ASEAN domestic licence can use a separate regional route. Short-stay visitors without a recognised self-ride route can still experience the same roads through a guided or passenger-based trip.
If Your License and IDP are Valid
If your domestic licence includes the correct motorcycle entitlement and you have a recognised 1968 International Driving Permit, you can move on to choosing the right motorcycle for your trip.
The next step is to match the bike to your route, experience and luggage. A lightweight motorcycle may be ideal for rough mountain roads, while a larger adventure bike can be better suited to longer-distance touring.
View our motorcycle rentals and choose the bike that best fits your trip.
If You Are Not Sure Whether Your Documents Are Valid
If you are unsure about your licence, IDP convention or motorcycle category, check before you book. This is particularly important if your permit was issued outside Europe or if you are relying on an online document described as an “International Driving Licence.”
You can contact AZ Motorbikes before travelling and tell us which country issued your licence, what motorcycle entitlement you hold and what type of IDP you have. We can help you identify what you need to check before making a rental or touring decision.
Contact us on WhatsApp before you book.
If You Cannot Legally Self-Ride
If your licence or IDP does not allow you to legally ride a motorcycle in Vietnam, that does not necessarily mean you have to miss the experience of travelling through the country by bike.
An Easy Rider option allows you to travel as a passenger with an experienced local rider controlling the motorcycle. This can be a good alternative for travellers who want the scenery, mountain roads and motorcycle experience without self-riding.
Explore our Easy Rider options.
If You Want the Trip Organised for You
Even if your documents are valid, you may prefer not to plan routes, accommodation, fuel stops and daily logistics yourself. A guided motorcycle tour can remove much of that work while still allowing you to ride your own motorcycle.
This can be particularly useful on longer journeys through northern Vietnam, where road conditions, weather and route choices can change quickly.
View our guided motorcycle tours.
Check Before You Arrive
Licensing problems are much easier to deal with before you arrive in Vietnam. Do not wait until you are standing in a rental shop with an unsuitable IDP or the wrong motorcycle entitlement.
Check your domestic licence, confirm which convention your IDP uses, make sure the motorcycle category matches, and review your insurance before travelling. If anything is unclear, ask before booking.
FAQ
Do I need my home driving licence as well as the IDP?
Yes. Under the 1968 route, the IDP works together with the corresponding valid national licence, so you should carry both. The national licence remains the underlying entitlement and must still show the motorcycle category you are relying on.
Is a 1949 IDP the same as a 1968 IDP?
No. They are different convention documents, and Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Convention. A genuine 1949 permit can still be a real document, but it should not be treated as interchangeable with a 1968 permit in Vietnam. Our 1949 vs 1968 IDP comparison explains the distinction in detail.
Does an AAA-issued U.S. IDP make me legal in Vietnam?
AAA is an authorised U.S. issuer, so an AAA-issued permit should not be dismissed as fake. However, U.S. IDPs are 1949 Convention documents, while Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Convention. The issuer can therefore be legitimate even though the convention route is not the one Vietnam recognises for this purpose.
How long is a 1968 IDP valid?
A recognised 1968 IDP is valid for no more than three years from the date of issue and never beyond the validity of the corresponding national licence. If the home licence expires first, the IDP route ends with it. See our guide to how long a 1968 IDP is valid in Vietnam for the full explanation.
Can an IDP create motorcycle entitlement?
No. The IDP can translate or present the entitlement on your national licence, but it cannot create a motorcycle category that is missing. A car-only home licence therefore does not become a motorcycle licence simply because you also carry an IDP.
Check the Documents Before You Choose the Bike
Check all of this before you arrive if possible. Look at the convention, your national licence, the motorcycle category and the expiry dates before you book the bike. If you are unsure, send us photos of the relevant documents and ask.
If you need the wider legal decision rather than another IDP detail, return to How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam or the Vietnam Motorcycle Legal Vault.