What Happens If You Drive a Motorbike Illegally in Vietnam?

Updated 06/09/26

Vietnam is an incredible country to explore by motorbike. The winding mountain passes, bustling city streets, and scenic coastal roads offer an unforgettable adventure. However, for some foreigners, the dream ride can quickly turn into a nightmare if they’re caught driving illegally.

Despite what some rental shops and tour companies might tell you, driving a motorbike over 50cc in Vietnam requires a valid Vietnamese or ASEAN issued driving license OR an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried alongside your national license.

For a step-by-step check of whether your documents actually qualify, see our Vietnam International Driving Permit guide.

If you’re tempted to “chance it,” here’s a stark look at the consequences you could face:

Possible Consequences of Driving Without a License

1 You get away scott free

You could easily be one of the many lucky people that drive illegally and never meet the police, never have an accident and thus get away with it. Many reckless people will tell you that all is fine and you are unlikely to have any problems.

This is all good, until it isn’t.

2 Immediate Encounter with Traffic Police (and Fines!)

This is the most common scenario. Vietnamese traffic police are highly visible, especially in tourist areas. They conduct frequent checkpoints and are more than happy to stop foreign riders.

• The Stop: You’ll be flagged down, often with a whistle or hand signal. Remain calm and pull over safely.
• The Demand: They will ask for your driving license, vehicle registration, and sometimes your passport.
• The Fine: If you cannot produce a valid 1968 IDP PAPER COPY (and your national license) or a Vietnamese license, you are driving illegally.

 

Fines for driving without a valid license can range from 2,000,000 VND to 8,000,000 VND or more (approximately $80-$300+ USD). This fine must often be paid on the spot or at a designated traffic police office.

• Vehicle Impoundment: In more serious cases, or if you cannot pay the fine immediately, your motorbike could be impounded.

 

This means a lengthy and complicated process to retrieve it, often incurring daily storage fees.
You may also find that tour and rental companies are not happy about this and, even though they willingly rented to you, they will want to charge you any incurred cost.

3 Travel Insurance Nightmare: No Coverage!

This is arguably the most financially devastating consequence. Most travel insurance policies have a crucial clause: they are void if you are engaging in illegal activities. Driving without a valid license falls squarely into this category. Then, you face:

• Accident Liability: If you’re involved in an accident – even if it’s not your fault – your insurance will refuse to cover your medical expenses, repatriation costs, or any damages to the vehicle or third parties.
• Huge Medical Bills: Hospital stays, surgeries, and long-term recovery in a foreign country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, this burden falls entirely on you.
• Third-Party Claims: If you injure someone else or damage their property, you will be personally liable for all compensation. You may even be held in Vietnam pending trial.

 

Imagine recovering from a serious injury while simultaneously facing massive bills and legal proceedings in a foreign language. It’s a scenario no one wants to be in.

4 Legal Troubles and Deportation Risk

While less common for a simple “driving without a license” offense, repeated offenses or involvement in a serious accident while driving illegally can escalate rapidly.

• Serious Accidents: If you cause a serious accident resulting in significant injury or death, you could face criminal charges, imprisonment, and eventual deportation, regardless of your visa status.
• Passport Retention: In some situations, police might temporarily retain your passport until fines are paid or legal matters are resolved, severely disrupting your travel plans.

 

Trust us, your embassy IS NOT going to help you with this other than to perhaps facilitate a call back home to tell loved ones the bad news, so that they can set up a GoFundMe.

5 Rental Company Complications

While rental companies might initially seem relaxed about licenses, they will likely hold you fully responsible if anything goes wrong.

• Damage Costs: If the bike is damaged or stolen, and you were driving illegally, the rental company will pursue you for the full cost of repairs or replacement, often holding your passport as collateral until payment.
• Legal Disputes: You’ll have little legal recourse against the rental company if they refuse to help you after an incident because you were not legally licensed.

 

We have all heard about the anecdotal stories of ‘mafia’ like behaviour from disreputable rental companies. Whether or not their threats of physical harm are anything more than threats is something we do not need to find out.

How do you drive legally in Vietnam

There are several ways to drive legally in Vietnam.

• A home license and a 1968 IDP: This is the most common way for tourists to drive legally here. If your license is issued in a country that has not signed the 1968 agreement, you cannot use it to ride here.
• ASEAN Country License: Disputes: There are now 13 countries in the ASEAN group and you can use a license issued in these countries in all other ASEAN countries. Just make sure it has English on it or, as a safety net, get an IDP 1968.
• Convert your License: It is possible to convert a home license to a Vietnamese one, but you need to have a long term visa and a Temporary Residence Card. This is more for expats staying here long term.

 

Find out about Driving legally in Vietnam in depth in our Legal Vault.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Risk It!

The freedom of the open road in Vietnam is enticing, but the risks of driving illegally far outweigh any perceived convenience. The small amount of effort it takes to obtain a valid 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) before your trip is a tiny investment compared to the potential fines, medical bills, legal woes, and stress that come with being caught driving illegally.

However, as we mentioned, for some nationalities it is impossible to get a 1968 IDP. You can find out which countries signed which agreements here.

This could mean it is impossible to drive legally in Vietnam unless the rider can obtain a local license or an ASEAN country license.

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FAQ

Does my 1968 IDP need to specifically cover motorbikes?

Yes, absolutely. Your 1968 IDP is only a translation of your home license. It must contain the correct motorcycle category (A1/A2/A) stamp to prove you are licensed to ride a motorbike in your home country. Without the correct stamp, the IDP is insufficient, and you are considered to be driving without a proper license.

How long is a foreign 1968 IDP valid for use in Vietnam?

The IDP is valid for up to one year from the date of issue. However, its validity in Vietnam is also limited by your visa/stay duration. If your stay in Vietnam exceeds three months, you are generally required to convert your foreign license to a local Vietnamese license to continue driving legally.

If I only drive a small 50cc scooter, do I still need a license or IDP?

No. According to Vietnamese law, motorbikes with an engine capacity of 50cc or less (or electric motorbikes with power up to 4kW) do not require a driving license (A1/A2/A) or an IDP. This is why many tourists use 50cc electric scooters, but they are often too slow or limited for long distances.

What is the penalty if I forget my valid license at my hotel?

Forgetting a license you actually possess is a minor violation compared to driving without one. The fine for failing to carry a valid license is significantly lower, typically around VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 for motorbikes. You may be required to present the license later to avoid the heavier “driving without a license” fine.

If I had one beer the night before, will I fail a breathalyzer test the next morning?

It is unlikely but possible. The 1hr; 1 drink rule doesn’t exactly work every time. Because Vietnam has a zero-tolerance policy (0% BAC Breath Alcohol Content), even residual alcohol from the night before can result in a fine. If you drink, it is safest to wait many hours (or the whole day) before riding, or use a ride-hailing app.

Think Before You Drive

Plan ahead, get the correct documentation, and enjoy your Vietnamese adventure responsibly and legally! If you need help or advice with that, get in touch.