When following the procedures to exchange the foreign driving license, the driver must come and take a photo directly at the licensing agency.

I have a foreign driving license. Now I am back in Vietnam to live. Can I exchange my driving license for a Vietnamese driving license? How are the procedures? Is it possible to declare online? - Reader named Linh, from Cot village, Yen Hoa, Hanoi, asked.

Through research at the Vehicle Management Department - Hanoi Department of Transport, the inquiry is answered as follows:

According to Clause 1, Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, it stipulates as follows:

Article 41. Procedures on the exchange of foreign driving licenses

1. The driver shall send a set of applications to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (where registered for residence, stay, temporary residence, or permanent residence). The dossier includes:

a) Written request for exchange of driving license (Vietnamese citizens shall use the form in Appendix 19 enclosed herewith this Circular, foreigners shall use the form in Appendix 20 enclosed herewith this Circular);

b) A written translation of the driving license in Vietnamese guaranteed in quality by a notary office or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, affixes with a stamp on adjoining edges of pages and copy of the driving license; in case of any question found, the licensing agency shall issue a written request to the Embassy or Consulate for verification;

c) The copy of passport (passport number, full name, passport photo, validity period, and page of entry visa to Vietnam), people’s identity card, citizen’s identity card, diplomatic identity card, or official letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or a photocopy of the Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, stay permits or the papers proving the foreigner’s long-term residence in Vietnam; in case of any question found, the licensing agency shall issue a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security and the Immigration Office affiliated to the Public Security station at the provinces for verification.

The applicant shall be photographed when submitting the application for exchange and must present the original copy of aforesaid documents (except for the originals sent) for comparison.

Thus, you make a dossier, send it directly to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport, the dossier includes:

– An application form for driving license exchange (Vietnamese people shall use the form in Appendix 19 enclosed herewith Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT).

– The translation of the driving license in Vietnamese guaranteed in quality by a notary office or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, affixes with a stamp on adjoining edges of pages and copy of the driving license;

– A copy of passport (passport number, full name, passport photo, validity period, and page of entry visa to Vietnam), people’s identity card.

When submitting the application for driving license exchange, the driver is directly taken a photo and must present the original copy of the above documents (except for the originals sent) for comparison.