Live + Work
Traffic Fines for Motorcycles in Vietnam (2026)
Driving a motorbike in Vietnam is a risky business and should not be entered into without full knowledge of the possible consequences. Aside from the risk of accident on the country’s busy and chaotic roads, there is also the risk of being stopped for a road traffic violation. However, knowledge is power and with the knowledge of what the current penalties are for each violation, you are better armed to protect yourself against any outrageous fines.
Driving a Motorcycle in Vietnam
In many cases it is all together easier and quicker to pay an ‘on the spot fine’ without an official receipt and many times this option will be presented to the driver. This is a delicate area because Vietnam is fervently fighting the wave of corruption that tarnishes its image and you may find yourself discussing this with a more principled official. In that case, you need to be aware that bribery is a criminal offence.
Below, we outline the most likely fines you might encounter in order to be brief. We have listed a fully comprehensive list of violations and fines in another blog. Check it out, because some are actually quite funny.
Honda CB 500X Motorcycle Rental
Engineered to handle whatever the road throws at you Book NowSummary of fines for motorbike violations (latest update in 2026)
| Violation | Latest fine 2024 (VND) |
|---|---|
| Failing to indicate when changing lanes | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Failing to indicate when changing direction | 800.000 – 1,200.000 |
| Carrying two passengers | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Carrying 3 passengers | 600,000 – 800,000 (+ 2 penalty points) |
| Failing to indicate or use the horn when passing | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Using a mobile phone, audio equipment whilst driving (except hearing aids) | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Passing a red, amber traffic signal | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Driving in the wrong lane | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Driving against the flow of traffic | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Entering a prohibited road | 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 |
| Missing/broken rearview mirror | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Not carrying a valid licence | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Not having a valid licence | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| Not wearing a helmet | 400.000-600.000 |
| Overtaking on the right hand side | 400.000 – 600.000 |
| Stopping, parking in the incorrect place | 400.000 – 600.000 |
| Have alcohol concentration but not exceeding 50 mg/100 ml of blood or less than 0.25 mg/1 litre of breathe | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 (licence confiscated for 10 – 12 months) |
| Alcohol concentration exceeds 80 mg/100 ml of blood or exceeds 0.4 mg/1 litre of breathe | 8,000,000 – 10,000,000 (licence confiscated for 22-24 months) |
| Speeding from 5 to under 10 km/h over the speed limit | 200.000 – 300.000 |
| Speeding 10 to 20 km/h over the speed limit | 800.000 – 1.000.000 |
| Driving more than 20 km/h over the speed limit | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| Racing on public highways | 8,000,000 – 10,000,000 (license confiscated for 22-24 months) |
| Motorcyclists carrying passengers without helmets or wearing helmets without properly fastening the straps | 400.000 – 600.000 |
| Motorcycles do not give way or obstruct vehicles with priority (emergency or official vehicles) that are signalling priority on duty | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Stopping or parking a motorbike in a road tunnel at the wrong place | 800.000 – 1.000.000 |
| Riding a motorbike with a licence plate that does not comply with regulations; mounting licence plates with unclear letters and numbers; Installing licence plates that are bent, covered, or damaged; Paint or paste to change the letters, numbers or change the colour of the letters, numbers, and background of the sign | 800.000 – 1.000.000 |
The Most Serious Offence
There is no more serious offence than Driving Under the Influence (DUI) due to the damage that it can cause for individuals and families.
Drink driving has been a huge problem for a country with very loose implimentation of law. Nowadays, there has been a huge crack down on this and you are likely to see many roadside checks.
7-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour
Ride deep into Vietnam’s northern frontier: mountain passes, hidden valleys, and rich history packed into one unforgettable week Book NowFAQ
Do the Police stop foreigners in Vietnam?
Yes, the Police are increasingly stopping foreigners for traffic violations and will enforce the law and fine you if you break any laws.
Is it common to see a Police presence on roads in Vietnam?
Generally, no, you will not see that many police in Vietnam. However, there are more and more traffic cameras and mobile roadside checkpoints so you cannot rule it out. You will also not notice a lot of police as you will be concentrating on driving.
The areas with the highest police presence are Ha Giang Loop and Mui Ne as these are places where a lot of foreigners flout traffic laws.
Do I need a license to drive in Vietnam?
Yes, of course. Vietnam’s laws are very similar to internationally accepted road laws and you need to be licensed for the vehicle you wish to drive. For a tourist this means you need to have the correct home license and an IDP (1968) in order to be road legal.
What is the legal minimum age to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam?
In order to drive a motorcycle up to 50cc you need to be 16 yrs old or over and to drive anything larger than this you will need to be 18 yrs old.
Can I use my phone whilst driving?
No. It is illegal to use the phone to text or call whilst driving. If you wish to use your phone, you are required to pull over, stop and then use it.
The Practicality of Driving in Vietnam
Where you cannot fully comply, the next best thing is to drive in a safe and sensible manner. This will minimise the possibility of being pulled over by police and save a lot of pain and heartache.
Undoubtedly, the best thing to do is to comply with all the rules and regulations surrounding driving in Vietnam. You can find out more about how to drive legally in Vietnam in this blog here.