I recently went through the process

I recently went through the process of obtaining a Vietnamese motorbike driver’s license. I’m sharing this short guide hoping it will help you obtain one also. The benefits are to be legal on the road and covered by your insurances in case of bad luck.

Class A1 (50cc to 175cc) Driver’s License with no expiration date.
The process of getting and filling up the application can be completed in two days. The driving test and the license processing takes longer. Overall, it will take you about a month and a half to have the license in hand. Total cost is approximately 450,000₫ ($22 USD).
This walkthrough is for people who own a valid car driver’s license in their home country. I’m unfamiliar with the process of other cases such as not owning one at all. The Office of Transportation (111 Tân Sơn Nhì, Tân Phú, HCMC) can provide you with answers.
The motorbike driver’s license you will receive is Class A1, valid for bikes up to 175cc and has no expiration date.
Day 1
1. Obtain The Applications Forms
Office of Transportation
111 Tân Sơn Nhì, Tân Phú, Ho Chi Minh City
Pick the application forms in the Office of Transportation at counter nine. One of the form is in Vietnamese with an English translation. The other one is the medical health check form to be filled at the Hospital, in Vietnamese only.
2. Translate and Notarize Your Existing License & Passport
The People’s Committee of Vietnam
47 Le Duan, D1. Ho Chi Minh City
Bring your existing driving license and passport. The purpose of this visit is to have them both translated and notarized.
The office is on the left side of the building when entering and contains several counters for multiple purposes. Go to the photocopier and give your license and passport. The staff will make three copies of each. Pay a minimal fee.
Go to counter nine and pick up a small blank form. Write your name and add it to the pile to be in the queue. Once called at the desk, give your original license and its photocopies to the staff. They will translate and notarized them for the next day. Pay ~110,000₫. Get the receipt.
Head to the electronic machine providing tickets and get a number for counter five (certification). Once called to the desk, give your passport and photocopies. They will hand them back to you a few minutes later, notarized. Pay ~5,000₫.
3. Get Photos
Kim Long
82 Nguyen Hue, D1. Ho Chi Minh City
Visit any photography store to get four photos of yourself (size 3 × 4) on a blue background. The address above will do it in an hour for ~30,000₫.
Paste your photos on the forms and keep the remaining ones for later.

A motorbike glyph in Hanoi.
Day 2
4. Medical Check
Benh Vien Quan 1 Hospital
338 Hai Ba Trung, D1. Ho Chi Minh City
Note: It seems that only government’s sponsored hospitals can provide this official medical check. Private hospitals cannot.
You might be more comfortable with the help of a local friend for this visit. Enter the hospital and go straight to the back room located under the stairs on ground floor. Hand out your medical health check form and the staff will attach a new document with a list of examinations rooms you will be visiting in order. Pay ~30,000₫.
Time for a unique experience. Locate the first room number, enter and drop your form in the box to be in the waiting list. The nurse will call you, do the examination and fill the appropriate part of the form. Repeat for all tests. Rooms are on ground floor and 1st. There is an optical test which means you should bring your glasses if needed.
Once finished, go back to the main desk you visited first on ground floor. The staff will finalize the form.
5. Pick-up Your Original Driving Licence
The People’s Committee of Vietnam
47 Le Duan, D1. Ho Chi Minh City
Return to counter nine and hand out your receipt. You will be given your original driving license with its photocopies both translated and notarized.
6. Deposit The Application
Office of Transportation
111 Tân Sơn Nhì, Tân Phú, Ho Chi Minh City
Return to the Office of Transportation and deposit all your documents for the application.
More forms will be filled with the help of the staff. Pay ~260,000₫. An appointment will be given for the practical driving test about two weeks later. They will provide you a form containing the details and the address of the test center.

This bike requires no driving license.
Two Weeks Later…
7. Test Drive
The address of the test center may vary. I had an appointment at the Driving Test Center near the airport in Tân Phú District, HCMC. Google Maps will help you get there.
Show up on site earlier if you want to practice the 8-figure test with your own bike. The old bikes they provide will be put in the right gear for you to drive. Take note that you don’t really get to practice with these. Steering will be different than what you expect…
There is a list printed on the wall facing the track. Your name and a number should be written down. You will be called at some point.
If you put your foot on the ground during the tes