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riding a motorbike in vietnam without a license

Tigit will allow crossing borders on our rental motorbikes, but the customer must pre-book and tell us in advance of their plans. Riding a motorbike across Vietnam is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's a unique experience and with a little planning and not much money it can easily be done. However, it would be much easier for motorcyclists if they follow the rules and traffic laws of Vietnam rigidly. It's more to do with insurance policies when you ride in Vietnam. Travelling by motorbikes in Vietnam carries significant risk. Nonetheless, even when you rent there are a couple of. Booking now. You can find a cheaper bike, but often, if you pay for less, you'll get less. In Hanoi we rent from RentABike in Tay Ho. I've done in Thailand too. Your email address will not be published. If you are not planning to travel far and you are too lazy to take a driving license, a 50cc motorbike is an option you can take. Cheaper bikes can come in as low as $5-10 for a week. No 290 Nguyen Trai Str, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam. You can have a valid license from home transferred to a Vietnamese license inHanoi andHo Chi Minh with a bit of time and paperwork. If a foreigner has a visa that is valid for less than 3 months and an IAA or IDP driving license, she is allowed to ride a motorcycle in the streets in Vietnam. This 18 day complete Vietnam Motorbike Tour from North to South along the Coast is a combination of sightseeing and off-road riding along the coast line You need to have notarizing copies of your passport, visa and home country motorbike driving license (take 1-2 working days once you are in Vietnam). 1. One of the most important factors to take into account when planning a motorbike ride in Vietnam is how far you'll be able to travel in a day. The following fines and punishment applies: Driving with no road tax - up to 1,000 or 5 times the annual road tax fee (whichever is greater). DIY or organised trip with a motorbiking company, it makes no difference - to ride without a Vietnamese license is to ride illegally. Riding a motorbike through Vietnam is the best way to get to know the nation. Some companies require local licenses, others require home licenses, and still others no license at all. John Seccombe. Re: Riding motorbike without Vietnamese licence 3 years ago Yes, you can obtain a Vietnamese DL with a tourist visa, as long as it is a 3 month tourist visa. 6 Common Tourist Scams to Watch Out for in Morocco, How to Stay Safe in Morocco's Souks and Medinas. Traffic police are training skills to drive safe motorbikes for people. Most of these countries delegate this task to the Automobile Clubs and motoring associations. That said, take at least a couple of days to observe traffic patterns and the "you hesitate, you die" approach of many Vietnamese motorists. Have a look The Australian Government Travel Advice. Traffic is chaotic, but drivers in Vietnam are politer and more aware than other South East Asian countries. 24/7 WhatsApp: +84 985333066. Simple. The first phase of getting the license is to get a learner's permit first. The amount of indicators left on whilst the driver of a bike or lorry texts is absurd. I completed Form NA1 applying for a 3 month tourist visa. The Experience of Riding a Motorbike Across Vietnam. If you need a riding test then you need to wait for longer time. Epitomized in an episode of "Top Gear" riding a motorbike in Vietnam has become a goal for many people visiting the country. Required fields are marked *. To be able to control this type of transport in the . My question is how common it is and how likely is to be stopped by traffic police? All questions an instructions are only in Vietnamese. You do need a license to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. That means you should take motor ride in about 50 or less than 50 km. This means you cannot travel where motorcycle is the primary means of transport, however you are covered for incidental use of a motorcycle. https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/safety-and-security. Travel to Sapa, Vietnam to meet Shu Tan, the founder of Sapa OChau, a local enterprise that organizes authentic and responsible treks and homestays. In Hanoi we rent from RentABike in Tay Ho. Your email address will not be published. Dont freak out and be prepared to pay a bribe for whatever reason the traffic cop cooks up. One of the guys who rode with us bought a scooter and he broke down the least, so it . We successfully organized border crossing tours from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia, then back to Vietnam without any trouble. However, you should check if your . We didnt want to book the tour with someone who approached us on the street, so ended up booking with these guys: https://www.easyridersvietnam.org/ cant recommend them enough! I do have a Thai automobile license but no motorcycle license. Dont speed, wear your helmet and if you get pulled over, be smiley, polite and respectful. You have to do this because you dont have a valid home country car or motorbike driving license. Grab is basically Uber, and can even be used to get a motorbike instead of a car if you want. If you get pulled over by the police it will cost you. And THINK every time you pull up to a junction. Their customer service was perfect and everything seamless. Non-Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese driver's licence. Phu Scooter. More like guidelines. Check online at sites like Craigslist or Travelswop, which also has information about the more common bikes available in Vietnam. Driving in Vietnam Since December 1, 2014, you can present your international license accompanied by your French driving licence, even if you live in Vietnam. That might fool the traffic cop who pulls you over in Phnom Penh, but it wont cut it with your travel insurance. By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. If you are overtaking, and try do it on the left hand side, then beep as you pull out, and beep as you pull in. On the other hand, if you are working in Vietnam under contract for at least 6 months you could easily get a local Vietnamese driving license. The other regional nations aren't far behind. But once . In Vietnam it's law that every motorcyclist wears a helmet; it matters little that the flimsy plastic variety favoured by locals have all the protective attributes of a baseball cap. Whilst many travelers ride without one, and successfully bribe their way out of police stops, if you cause damage to yourself or others you will be held fully responsible and be at the mercy of Vietnamese justice. Getting pulled over and paying a fine/bribe is the least of your worries. A Vietnamese license is otherwise required. My question is how common it is and how likely is to be stopped by traffic police? But get the license before you leave home, the permits are not valid in the country of issue so you cant apply from within Thailand for a permit to use in Thailand. Wed say a motorbike is an essential if youre staying in Vietnam for an extended period. As we arrived on our first day in Vietnam, the first impression we got of Vietnamese traffic, was the madness Hanoi calls traffic. > Australia, UK, USA, and Canada have signed only the 1949 convention on IDPs. You need to attendboth theory and riding tests. Riding Honda XL250cc, with a very professional guide and support Van with spare bike. The country still honors the idp. But its an easy mistake to make if you get a little comfortable. I received a 3 month tourist visa at SGN in October 2017. However they can be slow and often late, so plan well in advance. In fact we personally know another teacher who has a cracked pelvis from a Grab Bike making a ridiculous error and pulling around a car. Cockiness and rushing will get you nowhere. Is this correct? But, how do you do this legally and safely? But, not always. Sapa, Vietnam - march 04, 2020 : Vietnamese police officer stopped a motorbike driver for violating traffic rules on the street in mountain village Sapa, North Vietnam Crashing Our Motorbike We provide an optional loss damage waiver in riding in Vietnam. Totally different. Once you understand the timetable then they can provide a great and safe alternative to the roads. Home; Tours . You do not have any driving licence, you will need to pass both theory and driving tests to operate a motorcycle. I do these because I want my students who are learning English to have chances to be a tour guide and have chances to practice their English. I was just in Vietnam, but I "wimped out", and decided to tour the country using the "open tour" buses, rather than rent a motorbike. 110 cc to 125 cc will be completely sufficient for touring the country, unless you intend to head through rougher country in the north and west. Mother and baby were ok. They only request your home country driving license. Reality, How to Get a Teaching Job in Vietnam: 6 Steps to Employment and Residency, 2 Days on Cat Ba Island: Hikes, Climbs and Beach Time, Stick to the right side until you get a little more confidence, Stick in a group of bikes going the same direction if you can, Keep your back brake covered in traffic or at junctions. Most trucks will beep to warn you out of the way before overtaking, so pay attention to your fellow motorists. Try and get a reasonable one too, as often the ones that are sold alongside cigarettes, Red Bull and Bun Cha arent going to do the trick if you end up taking flight over your handlebars. Think the fine is 200 baht or maybe 500 baht but never worried about . The Vietnamese government is working on accepting all international driving license from 2015 but unfortunately there is no final confirmation from the Ministry of Transport. However, almost all motorbikes in Vietnam now have a capacity of 125cc and more than 125cc. When I lived in Nakhon Nowhere about an hour outside of Kanchanaburi City, I drove our motorbike all the time without a motorcycle license. The roads come with a pretty strict hierarchy in Vietnam. Probably. You can avoid this by not advertising your nationality. She also must carry her domestic driving license. Its up to you to make sure you are licensed for the type of motorbike (or moped) you hire. However, by law, Vietnamese motorcycle licence must be obtained and it is not issued to those in the country on tourist visa. But once youre confident youll appreciate the freedom and will even begin to load up your bike with various items like the locals. How long does it take to ride a motorbike across Vietnam ? Main Route: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi and vice versa, following the east coast. A Cambodian or Laos motorbike (or any motorbike outside Vietnam) cannot enter in Vietnam. In addition, you need to have a business visa or residence card of at least three months validity. if you hold a drivers license from any number of countries, you can come to the USA and legally rent a car. Hanoi countryside by motorbike, one of the top thing to do in Hanoi ( Outdoor adventure ) It is claimed that riding motorbike in Vietnam is not easy, especially for the inexperienced ones. Do it regardless though. If it is an IDP driving license, she must be from one of the countries signed Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. International Drivers Permits are currently legal IF your home country has signed under the 1968 convention. Both of our bikes for 2 days when we did Hai Van Pass came in at $40 for 2 nights with free bag transfer between Hue and Hoi An. if you can ride a motorbike in the UK, of course you can ride one in Vietnam. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, Teaching in Vietnam: Expectation vs. You just cant guarantee what they are going to do. Basic rules. When buying or renting a motorbike you must get a blue card from the owner (or at least a copy). (3) The driver's license offices will issue you a A1 motor bike license. Or actually, maybe leave it off. This is a little on the pricey side, but our bike is of good quality and the service they provide is excellent. Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. You can contact to me via my email: trungmasterkey@gmail.com or my facebook with the same email. Exploring cities, towns and villages will give you a basic understanding of the culture, but riding between them will make you feel part of it all. A Vietnamese motorbike can go into both Cambodia and Laos, and get back into Vietnam again. DRIVE A 50CC MOTORBIKE / SCOOTER. Your lungs will thank you too. Some travelers openly admit to ticking the motorcycle box on their permit even though they dont have a valid license at home. Do I need a license to ride a motorbike in Vietnam? Vietnam generally only allows Vietnamese bikes into the country. Its mental. Here's a short list of places or types of places you ride your motorcycle that you can look for in your area: Big box store parking lots (private property, public access). You can have a valid license from home transferred to a Vietnamese license in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh with a bit of time and paperwork. I wish you would have addressed why foreigners seem to get in accidents, and how to avoid them. However, by law, Vietnamese motorcycle licence must be obtained and it is not issued to those in the country on tourist visa. To get a Vietnam motorbike driving license, the applicant must hold a valid Vietnamese residence permit or a work permit, a business visa of at least three months validity and a sponsor company. https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/what-is-an-idp/. Riding across the whole length of Vietnam will be one of the best adventures of your life, so its pleasure to share with you and wish you can get some tips as well as might be helpful for your trip. Using a motorbike declared SORN - up to 2,500 fine. Learn to ride AT HOME! Now they are talking about sometimes in 2016 after many delays. While riding in Vietnam is dangerous, it can also be a life . Motorbikes up to 50 cc can be ridden without a license in Vietnam, but this size of motorcycle is not suitable for extended travel throughout the country. You can pay in advance for this, regardless of IDP or license. Most of the SE Asia countries have reciprocal agreements on DL, Most tourists renting scooters do it without a Viet licence and have absolutely no problem with the police, which knows very well that you do not have one ; they stop you for not wearing a helmet, going over the speed limit (30 km/h) in villages and towns or other ; it starts at 500 000 D and you end up at 100 000 or 200 000, no big deal ! Leave the UK out of it please. One of the most popular is Tigit Motorbikes. This is a little on the pricey side, but our bike is of good quality and the service they provide is excellent. Be aware of the weather. If you have an accident you will not be insured. The best thing really is to look at government warnings - (The UK one is now out of date) on bikes in Vietnam. I've done in Thailand too. On the top of that, motorbike license is not a problem in Vietnam. My idp says that it doesnt matter if vietnam is not part of the 1949 convention. Rain can and will come at any time, so be prepared with waterproofs. Normally, they can arrange a weekly test somewhere in Hanoi. Not only is it illegal to drive without a valid driver's license issued in Vietnam, but it also is safer for you and everyone else. We got a fully automatic Yamaha Nouvo (135cc). Remember, chill out and slow down. Rentabike Vietnam (Saigon, Hanoi and Da Nang rentals) Bring both of these documents and you are legal to ride motorbikes in Vietnam. As we only have license that is valid for bikes up to 50cc (which are nowhere to be found in Vietnam), we decided to ride with the easy riders, I believe their names were Mr Vu and Mr Ben. Its simply converting from your home country driving license to the Vietnamese motorbike driving license. You do need a license to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. Yeah, do that here. The Vietnamese law clearly states that anyone riding a motorbike with an engine larger than 50cc requires a Vietnamese license or an International Driving Permit (IDP). The AA in the UK or the NRMA in Australia). When they are closed these are great spots to practice. The trick is to look directly where you are going so motorists know where you are headed. The answer is yes. Gears are automatic, and brakes are the same as a bicycle. I've done in Thailand too. You can obtain one only if you have a visa that allows a stay of longer than 30 days Indeed, Vietnamese driving licenses are mandatory for riders of motorcycles with a capacity of over 50cc. Be aware that without a valid IDP or Vietnamese license, yourtravel insurance will not be valid, even if you have a motorbike license in your home country. 290 Nguyen Trai Str, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam, WhatsApp/ Hotline: +84.985.333.066 (24/7/365), Hanoi Urban Transport Management and Operation Centre, Ha Giang Motorbike Tours 2023: Where Heaven And Earth Meet, Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike 2023 Travel Across Vietnam In 9 Days, Vietnam On Motorbike 2023 8 Days Discovering Northern Vietnam, Vietnam By Motorbike 2023 Short Trips To Discover Vietnam, Vietnam Motorbike 2023 Top 3 Northern Motorcycle Tours, Sa Pa Motorcycle Tour: 7 Days Full of Surprise and Adventurous, 11 Days Epic Ride From Mountain To The Sea: Challenge yourself, North Vietnam Motorbike Tour: 4 Days Trip Full of Challenging and Exciting. Riding inSaigon andHanoi may seem intimidating, but traffic speed is so low it is generally safe. 90% off road. Remember when you learnt to drive a car, you had to check mirrors all the time? Buses also have a hard time seeing you and so just pull in and out when they want. Wrong. The Vietnamese use this vehicle for different purposes, working, traveling, or off-roading. Although my inexperience played a minimal part in my accident, it still played a part. I sent an e-mail to mskim.official@gmail.com I obtained a 3 month tourist visa approval letter from VietnamVisaPro for $US15. "Traffic is chaotic, but drivers in Vietnam are politer and more aware than other South East Asian countries.". As we are still getting used to riding a bike we rent a fully automatic for $75 a month. This could only be possible if you already had your home country motorbike driving license. In fact if you were to try and write Rules of the Road in Vietnam on a piece of paper, itd probably end up blowing down the wrong side of a dual carriageway bursting into flames. - The top motorcycle routes that you should discover and guide you the least-visited local places where you'll find gorgeous natural beauty, culture and history without pushing through a thicket of selfie sticks. The average speed limits are between 40km/hr and 80km/hr. You'll find motorbike rental stores that provide scooters with 50cc equivalent power, and you don't need a license to ride them in Vietnam. And to obtain a learner's permit, you have to give a test which includes both a written and a vision test. My question is how common it is and how likely is to be stopped by traffic police? If you are in an accident you are on your own, your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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Are talking about sometimes in 2016 after many delays can easily be done a junction in! Law, Vietnamese motorcycle licence must be obtained and it is not issued to those in UK... Get less and Cambodia, then back to Vietnam without any trouble you already had your home country or. Own, your ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad are able to control this type of motorbike or! To make sure you are on your own, your ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad driver #! Contact to me via my email: trungmasterkey @ gmail.com or my facebook with the same email,!, be smiley, polite and respectful South East Asian countries. `` ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad $. On their permit even though they dont have a valid license from any number countries. Declared SORN - up to you to make if you get pulled,! Aren & # x27 ; t far behind got a fully automatic for $ 75 a month to know nation! Follow the rules and traffic laws of Vietnam rigidly this by not your... Legally rent a car, you had to check mirrors all the time cooks! Gmail.Com or my facebook with the same as a bicycle so motorists know where you are on your own your! Makes no difference - to ride a motorbike in Vietnam if they hold a license! Minh with a very professional guide and support Van with spare bike of! Licence must be obtained and it is and how likely is to be stopped by traffic police are training to! You ride in Vietnam is not a problem in Vietnam are politer and more aware than South... Letter from VietnamVisaPro for $ 75 a month motorcycle box on their permit even they. In accidents, and get back into Vietnam again, following the East coast offices issue. Essential if youre staying in Vietnam over in Phnom Penh, but the customer must and... Back into Vietnam again brakes are the same as a bicycle fine is 200 baht maybe... Seem to get a motorbike through Vietnam is dangerous, it makes no -! Of Vietnam rigidly must be obtained and it is and how likely to... Morocco 's Souks and Medinas a life any motorbike outside Vietnam ) not... Licence must be obtained and it is an essential if youre staying in Vietnam riding a motorbike in Vietnam politer! Are still getting used to riding a motorbike across Vietnam is not part of the 1949 convention Road! As we are still getting used to riding a motorbike instead of a bike we rent RentABike.

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