Safety + Legality
ASEAN Driving Licence Guide for Vietnam
If you hold a driving licence issued by another ASEAN country, the rules for driving in Vietnam can be different from those applying to visitors from Europe, Australia, the United States and many other countries. ASEAN member states have a regional agreement recognising domestic driving licences issued by other member countries, which can provide a separate legal route from using a 1968 Convention International Driving Permit.
For motorcycle riders, however, recognition of the licence is only part of the question. Your licence must be valid and must include the appropriate motorcycle entitlement for the bike you intend to ride. A car-only licence does not give you motorcycle entitlement simply because it was issued by another ASEAN country.
This guide explains when an ASEAN driving licence can be recognised in Vietnam, what motorcycle riders need to check, and when additional documentation may be necessary. For riders using an International Driving Permit instead, see our International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide.
ASEAN Licences Have a Separate Recognition Route
Vietnam is part of the ASEAN framework for the recognition of domestic driving licences issued by other ASEAN member states. This means that an eligible visitor holding a valid licence from another ASEAN country may be able to drive in Vietnam without relying on the 1968 Convention IDP route used by many other foreign riders.
This distinction is important because ASEAN licence recognition and International Driving Permit recognition are two different legal routes. A rider should establish which route applies to the licence they actually hold rather than assuming that every foreign driving licence must be accompanied by an IDP.
Recognition does not, however, expand the categories shown on your licence. If you intend to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam, your ASEAN licence must contain the appropriate motorcycle entitlement. Holding a valid ASEAN car licence alone does not give you the legal entitlement to ride a motorcycle.
For the broader requirements affecting foreign motorcycle riders, see our How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam: 2026 Guide.
Which ASEAN Countries Are Covered?
The ASEAN recognition framework applies to driving licences issued by ASEAN member states. For a motorcycle tourist coming to Vietnam, this can be particularly relevant to riders arriving with licences issued in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia or Laos.
The important point is not simply that you are a citizen of an ASEAN country. It is the driving licence you hold, the country that issued it and the vehicle categories shown on that licence that matter. An ASEAN passport by itself does not provide driving entitlement in Vietnam.
You should also check that the licence is current and clearly identifies the categories of vehicle you are permitted to drive. If the motorcycle entitlement is unclear, restricted or difficult to interpret, resolve that question before renting a motorcycle rather than assuming that regional recognition automatically covers the bike you intend to ride.
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Your Licence Must Cover the Motorcycle You Ride
ASEAN recognition does not change the vehicle entitlement shown on your domestic licence. To ride a motorcycle legally in Vietnam using this route, your licence must already authorise you to ride the relevant type of motorcycle.
This matters because motorcycle categories are not identical across ASEAN countries. The category names, engine-capacity limits and restrictions shown on a Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean or other ASEAN licence may not look the same as the categories used on a Vietnamese licence.
Do not therefore compare category letters alone. Check what your licence actually permits you to ride and whether that entitlement corresponds to the motorcycle you intend to use in Vietnam. Regional recognition can recognise an existing entitlement; it cannot create a new one.
This is particularly important when renting larger motorcycles. If there is any doubt about your licence category, check it before booking so that you do not discover the problem during a police stop, after an accident or when making an insurance claim.
Language, Translation and Documents to Carry
One issue with ASEAN licences is that the information shown on them is not always equally easy for Vietnamese authorities to interpret. Under the ASEAN recognition framework, a licence that is not written in English should be accompanied by a certified English translation.
When riding in Vietnam, carry the original valid ASEAN driving licence rather than relying on a photograph or digital copy unless that format is specifically recognised. If a translation is required for your licence, keep it with the original document so that the licence details and vehicle entitlement can be checked together.
It is also sensible to carry the other documents relevant to you and the motorcycle, including identification and the motorcycle’s registration and insurance documents. The ASEAN recognition route does not remove the normal requirement to have the appropriate vehicle and personal documentation when riding.
An International Driving Permit should not be presented as automatically necessary simply because you are a foreign rider. If you are legally relying on a qualifying ASEAN licence, ASEAN recognition is its own route, rather than something that automatically depends on also carrying a 1968 IDP.
What ASEAN Motorcycle Tourists Should Check Before Riding
Before renting a motorcycle in Vietnam, check three things on your ASEAN licence: that it is still valid, that the motorcycle entitlement is clear, and that the entitlement covers the motorcycle you intend to ride. If the licence requires an English translation, arrange this before travelling rather than trying to solve the problem after arriving.
Do not assume that being able to rent a motorcycle proves that your licence is legally sufficient. Rental and legal riding entitlement are separate questions, and the responsibility for holding the correct licence remains with the rider.
Your licence position can also matter after an accident or when making an insurance claim. Insurance policies have their own terms and conditions, so avoid blanket assumptions about coverage, but riding without the required legal entitlement can create serious problems when a claim is assessed.
If you are considering a AZ Motorbikes rental and are unsure how the motorcycle category on your ASEAN licence relates to the bike you want to rent, contact us before booking. We can help you understand the practical requirements and choose an appropriate motorcycle, but we cannot make an unsuitable licence legally valid.
FAQ
Can I use a Thai driving licence in Vietnam?
A valid Thai driving licence can fall under the ASEAN licence-recognition framework in Vietnam. If you want to ride a motorcycle, however, the licence must contain the appropriate motorcycle entitlement for the bike you intend to ride.
NOTE: The temporary license is not accepted. The full 5 yr license is.
Do I need an IDP if I have an ASEAN driving licence?
Not necessarily. A qualifying ASEAN driving licence can be recognised through the ASEAN framework as a separate route from the 1968 Convention IDP system. You should therefore establish which recognition route applies to your particular licence rather than assuming every foreign rider needs an IDP.
Does an ASEAN car licence allow me to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam?
No. ASEAN recognition does not create motorcycle entitlement. If your licence only authorises you to drive cars, regional recognition does not turn it into a motorcycle licence.
Does my ASEAN licence need to be in English?
If the licence is not written in English, you should have the certified English translation required under the ASEAN recognition framework and carry it with the original licence. This allows the licence details and vehicle categories to be interpreted correctly.
Can I rent a large motorcycle with an ASEAN licence?
Potentially, but the important question is whether your licence gives you the appropriate motorcycle entitlement for that motorcycle, not simply whether the licence was issued by an ASEAN country. Check the categories and restrictions before booking, particularly for larger-capacity motorcycles.
Check Your Licence Before You Choose Your Motorcycle
ASEAN licence recognition can make riding in Vietnam more straightforward for eligible visitors from other member states, but recognition of the licence does not automatically mean you can ride every motorcycle. Your licence must be valid and contain the appropriate motorcycle entitlement for the bike you intend to use.
Before travelling, check the vehicle categories shown on your licence and whether an English translation is required. If anything is unclear, resolve it before renting rather than assuming that an ASEAN-issued licence will automatically be accepted for the motorcycle you have chosen.
For the wider legal requirements covering licences, IDPs, documents and riding legally in Vietnam, continue with our How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam: 2026 Guide.