Safety + Legality
Vietnam Motorcycle Laws 2026: What Changed?
Vietnam made significant changes to its road traffic laws from 1 January 2025, and those rules remain important for motorcycle riders travelling in Vietnam in 2026. Changes to Vietnamese motorcycle licence categories, tougher penalties and stronger enforcement mean that some information found in older travel blogs is now out of date.
For foreign riders, however, it is important to separate changes to Vietnamese law from rules that did not suddenly change in 2026. The requirements surrounding foreign driving licences, International Driving Permits and motorcycle entitlement still need to be considered separately.
This guide explains the changes that matter most to motorcycle tourists and long-term foreign residents, what took effect in 2025, and what you should check before riding in Vietnam in 2026.
The Biggest Changes Actually Started in 2025
Although this is a 2026 guide, the most important recent changes did not begin in 2026. Vietnam’s Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 came into effect on 1 January 2025, replacing and reorganising a number of rules affecting driving licences, vehicle categories and road use.
A new administrative penalty system also took effect from 1 January 2025 under Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP. This introduced substantially higher penalties for a number of traffic offences and made relying on old fine tables particularly risky.
For motorcycle tourists, the practical lesson is simple: an article, forum post or rental guide written before 2025 may now contain outdated information, particularly about Vietnamese licence categories and traffic penalties. However, not every rule affecting foreign riders changed at the same time, so it is important not to treat “the 2025 law changes” as a complete rewrite of the rules for foreign licences and IDPs.
For the broader question of whether you can legally ride, see our How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam: 2026 Guide.
Vietnam Changed Its Motorcycle Licence Categories
One of the most common and dangerous mistakes travelers make happens when they actually receive their physical 1968 IDP. You will likely flip to the inside cover or the back pages and see a long list of countries printed directly on the permit. Naturally, you might assume that if a country’s name is printed on your official document, you are legally covered to ride there.
Beware: This is a massive misconception.
The list printed inside the IDP booklet is often just a historical list of countries that signed the original 1968 agreement—it does not mean they actually ratified it into law.
For example, countries like Spain, Thailand, and Chile might be printed right there in your 1968 booklet because their diplomats signed the paper decades ago. However, because their domestic governments never followed through with ratification, your 1968 IDP is completely invalid in those countries.
Do not trust the printed list on your booklet as proof of legality. Always independently verify a country’s strict ratification status before you assume you are covered.
| Topic | Previous information commonly seen | Current rule |
|---|---|---|
| A1 motorcycle licence | Under 175cc | Up to 125cc |
| A motorcycle licence | Larger motorcycles under previous category | Above 125cc |
| Traffic penalties | Older penalty framework | Decree 168 framework from 1 Jan 2025 |
| License points | No equivalent 12-point system | 12-point license system from 2025 |
| Foreign IDPs | Often confused in older advice | Current statutory route refers to 1968 Convention IDPs |
Traffic Fines Became Much More Serious
Another major change came with Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, which took effect on 1 January 2025. It introduced a new penalty framework for road traffic offences, including substantially higher fines for a number of behaviours that motorcycle tourists may previously have regarded as relatively minor.
For riders, the important point is not to memorise a long table of fines. Penalties vary according to the offence and circumstances, and old fine lists published before 2025 can now be misleading. Drink-driving, running red lights, dangerous riding, speeding and other serious offences can carry significant financial and legal consequences.
Vietnam also introduced a 12-point driving-licence system from 2025. Depending on the offence, points can be deducted from a driving licence, and losing all 12 points affects the holder’s ability to drive legally until the statutory requirements for restoring the licence are met.
For the current penalties and what can happen during a police stop, see our Vietnam Motorcycle Traffic Fines guide rather than relying on an old fine table.
The IDP Rules Need to Be Separated From the New Laws
This is where the old version of the article becomes particularly confusing. Vietnam’s 2025 road-law changes should not be interpreted as meaning that every rule surrounding International Driving Permits suddenly changed in 2025 or 2026.
Vietnam’s current statutory route for foreign International Driving Permits is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. A rider relying on this route must carry the recognised IDP together with the corresponding valid national driving licence, and the underlying licence must include the appropriate motorcycle entitlement.
This also means that an IDP cannot create a motorcycle entitlement that you do not already possess. A car-only national licence does not become a motorcycle licence simply because an IDP has been issued alongside it.
The distinction between 1949 and 1968 Convention IDPs is particularly important. A 1949 IDP can be a genuine document, but it should not be confused with the 1968 Convention IDP route recognised under Vietnam’s current legislation.
For the complete requirements, see our International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide.
What the Changes Mean for a Motorcycle Tourist
For most motorcycle tourists, the biggest practical change is that older information about Vietnamese licence categories and traffic penalties can no longer be trusted without checking it. The 125cc threshold under the current A1 category is particularly important because many older guides still quote the previous 175cc limit.
Foreign riders also need to avoid assuming that renting a motorcycle proves they are legally entitled to ride it. A rental company can supply a motorcycle, but it cannot create a valid licence, motorcycle entitlement or recognised IDP for the rider. Your legal position depends on the documents and entitlement you actually hold.
Before choosing a motorcycle, check your national licence, the motorcycle category shown on it, your IDP where applicable, and whether those documents cover the bike you intend to ride. If you are uncertain, it is much better to establish this before booking the motorcycle than after a police stop, accident or insurance problem.
At AZ Motorbikes, we can help customers understand the practical requirements and choose an appropriate motorcycle, but the rider remains responsible for holding the documents and entitlement required to ride legally.
FAQ
Did Vietnam introduce new motorcycle laws in 2026?
The major recent changes discussed in this guide actually took effect on 1 January 2025, rather than beginning in 2026. This is a 2026 guide to the rules currently in force, including the changes to driving-licence categories and the newer traffic-penalty framework.
What size motorcycle can an A1 licence cover in Vietnam?
Under the current Vietnamese licence system, A1 covers motorcycles up to 125cc and electric motorcycles with power up to 11 kW. The frequently quoted 175cc limit relates to the previous licence classification, although transitional provisions protect relevant entitlements attached to older valid licences.
Did motorcycle traffic fines increase in Vietnam?
Yes. Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, effective from 1 January 2025, introduced a new administrative penalty framework and significantly increased penalties for a number of traffic offences. Riders should therefore avoid relying on fine tables published under the previous system.
Did the new laws make 1949 IDPs valid in Vietnam?
No. The recent changes should not be interpreted as creating a new statutory route for 1949 Convention IDPs. Vietnam’s current foreign-IDP provisions refer to the 1968 Vienna Convention, and riders should check the convention stated on their permit as well as their corresponding national licence.
For more detail, see our 1949 vs 1968 IDP for Vietnam guide.
Can I legally ride in Vietnam just because a rental company gives me a motorcycle?
No. Being able to rent a motorcycle and being legally entitled to ride it are separate questions. You are responsible for holding the appropriate licence, motorcycle entitlement and recognised supporting documents required for your circumstances.
Know Which Rules Actually Changed
Vietnam’s motorcycle laws have changed significantly, but the dates and details matter. The major recent reforms took effect from 1 January 2025, including the restructuring of Vietnamese driving-licence categories and a tougher framework for traffic penalties. Those rules remain relevant to anyone riding in Vietnam in 2026.
For foreign motorcycle riders, the safest approach is to separate those newer rules from the existing requirements surrounding foreign licences and International Driving Permits. Check the entitlement on your national licence, the convention stated on your IDP where applicable, and whether those documents cover the motorcycle you intend to ride.
If you want to check your overall legal position before renting or riding, continue with our How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam: 2026 Guide.