Safety + Legality
Taiwanese Driving Licence in Vietnam
If you hold a Taiwanese driving licence, do not assume that a Taiwanese International Driving Permit makes you legal to ride in Vietnam. Taiwan signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, but did not complete ratification, so Taiwanese riders do not have the normal 1968 Convention IDP route used by riders whose permits are issued under the Convention framework recognised by Vietnam.
There is, however, a straightforward alternative for eligible Taiwanese licence holders. Vietnam allows foreigners who meet its residence, work or study requirements to exchange a valid foreign national driving licence for the corresponding Vietnamese licence. Taiwan is not excluded from that normal foreign-licence conversion process.
For a motorcycle rider, your Taiwanese licence must already contain the appropriate motorcycle entitlement. You cannot convert a Taiwanese car licence into a Vietnamese motorcycle entitlement, but if your valid Taiwanese licence includes motorcycle entitlement, Vietnam can exchange the corresponding categories subject to the normal eligibility and documentation requirements.
This guide explains why a Taiwanese IDP is not the solution to rely on in Vietnam, who can exchange a Taiwanese licence, exactly what documents you need, where to apply and how the conversion process works.
Why a Taiwanese IDP Is Not the Solution in Vietnam
Taiwan signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, but it did not complete ratification. That distinction matters because Vietnam’s current rules for using foreign International Driving Permits are based on IDPs issued under the 1968 Convention framework by participating states.
As a result, a Taiwanese rider should not rely on a Taiwanese-issued IDP as the normal 1968 Convention route for riding legally in Vietnam. Simply having a document called an International Driving Permit does not make it a Convention IDP recognised under Vietnamese law.
This is different from saying that a Taiwanese IDP is fake. It may be a legitimate document issued for use in jurisdictions that recognise it, but it does not give a Taiwanese motorcycle tourist the standard 1968 Convention IDP route in Vietnam.
The practical alternative is much clearer for eligible riders: use your valid Taiwanese national licence to apply for a corresponding Vietnamese driving licence through Vietnam’s foreign-licence exchange system.
For the wider explanation of how Vietnam treats foreign IDPs, see our International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide.
| Document / Route | What it means for Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Taiwanese national motorcycle licence | Can support conversion if eligibility requirements are met |
| Taiwanese IDP | Do not rely on it as Vietnam’s normal 1968 Convention IDP route |
| Vietnamese licence conversion | Practical route for eligible Taiwanese licence holders |
| Taiwanese car-only licence | Cannot create Vietnamese motorcycle entitlement |
| Short-term visitor unable to convert | Do not assume another international permit solves the problem |
Taiwanese Riders Can Convert Their National Licence
The practical solution for many Taiwanese riders is not to obtain a different IDP, but to exchange their valid Taiwanese national driving licence for a Vietnamese licence. Vietnam’s current rules allow eligible foreigners living, working or studying in Vietnam to exchange a valid foreign national licence for the corresponding Vietnamese licence.
Under the rules in force since 1 July 2026, an eligible foreign applicant can qualify with documents including a visa or temporary residence card that has at least 90 days remaining, a valid permanent residence card, or the relevant diplomatic or official identification. This is an important distinction from the old advice that you must first have physically lived in Vietnam for three months.
The Taiwanese licence itself must still be valid. Vietnam exchanges the foreign licence into the corresponding Vietnamese vehicle categories, so a Taiwanese motorcycle entitlement can support the corresponding Vietnamese motorcycle category. A Taiwanese car-only licence cannot simply be converted into motorcycle entitlement.
The validity of the resulting Vietnamese licence is also linked to the validity of the documents supporting it. It cannot extend beyond the relevant foreign licence and immigration/residence documentation or beyond the maximum validity allowed for the Vietnamese licence category.
What You Need to Convert a Taiwanese Licence
The conversion process is relatively straightforward if you are eligible. Under Vietnam’s current rules, you will need to prepare an application for exchanging the foreign driving licence, your valid Taiwanese driving licence and the immigration or residence documents that establish your eligibility to apply.
Your Taiwanese licence must be translated into Vietnamese. The translation needs to be certified by a Vietnamese notary or by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate where the translator works, and it should be attached to a copy of the original licence.
You will also need the relevant passport and immigration documentation. Depending on your status, this can include a visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days remaining, a valid permanent residence card, or the appropriate diplomatic or official identity document.
The licensing authority will compare the categories on your Taiwanese licence with the Vietnamese licence categories. Make sure your Taiwanese motorcycle entitlement is clearly shown, because the exchange process recognises an existing entitlement rather than giving you a new motorcycle category.
For the broader foreign-licence conversion process, see our How to Get or Convert a Vietnamese Motorcycle Licence guide.
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Once your documents are ready, you can submit the licence-exchange application through the Vietnamese Traffic Police licensing system. Under the current procedure, applications can be submitted at the designated Traffic Police or police receiving point, and the regulations also provide an online route through Vietnam’s National Public Service Portal.
The authorities will check your identity, immigration or residence documents, the validity of your Taiwanese licence, its Vietnamese translation and the vehicle categories you are entitled to drive. This is an exchange process, not a new motorcycle test, provided you are applying to exchange an existing eligible motorcycle entitlement.
If the application is complete and valid, the current procedure provides for the Vietnamese driving licence to be issued within five working days after the complete application has been accepted. If the application cannot be processed, the authority should provide the reason rather than simply issuing a different licence category.
When you receive the Vietnamese licence, check the categories shown on it before riding. The Vietnamese category needs to cover the motorcycle you intend to use, particularly if you plan to rent a motorcycle above 125cc.
What About Taiwanese Tourists Who Cannot Convert?
The difficulty is greater for a short-term Taiwanese visitor who does not meet the requirements for exchanging a foreign licence. A Taiwanese IDP should not be treated as providing the normal 1968 Convention IDP route in Vietnam, while licence conversion requires the applicant to meet Vietnam’s eligibility and documentation requirements.
This means a Taiwanese tourist should not assume that renting a motorcycle makes the riding legal. A rental company may physically be able to provide a motorcycle, but rental availability and legal riding entitlement are separate issues.
The position can also become important after an accident or insurance claim. Individual insurance policies have their own terms, but riding without the licence or entitlement required under Vietnamese law can create serious problems when an insurer assesses a claim.
If you are travelling from Taiwan specifically for a motorcycle trip, check your eligibility to convert your licence before booking the motorcycle. If you cannot use the recognised IDP route and do not qualify for licence exchange, you should not assume that there is another international permit that solves the problem.
If you are considering a AZ Motorbikes rental, contact us before booking and show us the driving documents you intend to use. We can explain the practical requirements and help identify the appropriate motorcycle where you have the necessary entitlement, but we cannot make an otherwise unrecognised licence or permit legally valid.
FAQ
Is a Taiwanese International Driving Permit valid for riding in Vietnam?
You should not rely on a Taiwanese IDP as the normal 1968 Convention IDP route in Vietnam. Taiwan signed the 1968 Vienna Convention but did not complete ratification, while Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Convention framework. A Taiwanese IDP should therefore not simply be treated as equivalent to a recognised 1968 Convention IDP.
Can I convert my Taiwanese driving licence to a Vietnamese licence?
Yes, eligible Taiwanese licence holders can use Vietnam’s normal foreign-licence exchange process. You need a valid Taiwanese national licence with the appropriate vehicle entitlement and must meet the current immigration or residence-document requirements.
Do I have to live in Vietnam for three months before converting my licence?
No. The current rule should not be described as requiring you to have already lived in Vietnam for three months. The relevant requirement concerns your qualifying immigration or residence documentation; for example, the current procedure can accept a visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days remaining.
Do I need to take a motorcycle test when converting a Taiwanese motorcycle licence?
Normally, the exchange of an existing eligible foreign motorcycle entitlement is a licence-conversion process rather than obtaining that entitlement through a new Vietnamese motorcycle test. Your Taiwanese licence must already contain the motorcycle entitlement that supports the corresponding Vietnamese category.
Can I convert a Taiwanese car licence into a Vietnamese motorcycle licence?
No. Licence exchange recognises an entitlement you already possess; it does not create a motorcycle entitlement that is absent from your Taiwanese licence. If your Taiwanese licence only covers cars, you should not expect the exchange process to produce a Vietnamese motorcycle category.
Convert Your Licence Before You Ride
For Taiwanese motorcycle riders, the important distinction is straightforward. Do not rely on a Taiwanese IDP as though it were the normal recognised 1968 Convention IDP route in Vietnam. Taiwan signed the Convention but did not complete ratification, so the usual Convention-IDP advice given to many other foreign riders should not simply be applied to Taiwanese licence holders.
If you hold a valid Taiwanese motorcycle licence and meet Vietnam’s current eligibility requirements, licence conversion is the practical legal route to investigate. Prepare the required immigration or residence documents, have your Taiwanese licence translated as required, and apply to exchange your existing entitlement for the corresponding Vietnamese licence.
Short-term tourists who cannot meet the conversion requirements should establish their legal position before booking a motorcycle rather than assuming that another international permit will solve the problem. Being able to rent a motorcycle does not itself give you the legal entitlement to ride it.
For the complete conversion procedure, continue with our How to Get or Convert a Vietnamese Motorcycle Licence guide.