Vietnam motorbike fines in 2026 (Decree 168): the exact numbers

Riding without a recognised licence: the exact fine bands

Under Decree 168, riding without a Vietnam-recognised licence is fined VND 2–4 million for a bike up to 125cc, or VND 6–8 million for a bike over 125cc. On top of the fine, police impound the bike for 7 days. The fine band depends on engine size, not on whether you crashed.

Vietnam recognises only the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit. A 1949 Geneva Convention permit is not valid for a petrol motorbike over 50cc, so riders from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Spain or Ireland are treated as unlicensed on a petrol bike — even with an IDP in hand.

The two fine bands are simple: up to 125cc lands you in the VND 2–4 million range, and over 125cc moves you into VND 6–8 million. A 150–160cc scooter sits in the higher band.

The cleanest way to avoid this band entirely is an electric scooter rated 4 kW or under. It needs no licence and no IDP, so the no-licence fine cannot apply to it for any nationality.

• Up to 125cc, no recognised licence: VND 2–4 million
• Over 125cc, no recognised licence: VND 6–8 million
• Plus a 7-day bike impound in both bands
• A 1949 IDP does not change this — only a 1968 IDP is recognised

The 7-day impound and the owner fine you didn't expect

Beyond the rider's fine, the bike is impounded for 7 days. And under Article 32.10, the person who hands an unlicensed rider the bike faces a separate VND 8–10 million fine. That means a rental shop or owner has its own exposure, not just the rider.

The impound is automatic alongside the no-licence fine. For a traveller on a tight itinerary, losing the bike for a week often costs more in disruption than the fine itself.

Article 32.10 is the part most rental ads stay quiet about: handing a bike to an unlicensed rider is a separate offence carrying VND 8–10 million for the person who handed it over. This is why an honest operator screens your licence before putting you on a petrol bike — it protects you and them.

If a shop rents you an over-50cc petrol bike without checking whether your permit is recognised, both of you are exposed under different articles of the same decree.

• Bike impounded for 7 days alongside the rider's fine
• Article 32.10: VND 8–10 million fine on whoever hands an unlicensed rider the bike
• This is a separate offence from the rider's own fine

Helmets and the 0.0 alcohol limit

Helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger. The drink-drive limit is effectively zero — 0.0 BAC — so any detectable alcohol is finable, with large penalties under Decree 168. There is no "one beer is fine" margin in Vietnam.

Helmet enforcement is routine in Da Nang, and a fastened, proper helmet is non-negotiable for both people on the bike.

The alcohol rule catches the most travellers off guard. Vietnam runs an effectively zero-tolerance limit: any alcohol in your system can be fined, and Decree 168 attaches large penalties to drink-driving. Treat riding and drinking as completely separate activities, with no grey zone.

If you have had even one drink, take a taxi or Grab. The fine, plus the knock-on consequences if anything goes wrong, far outweighs the fare.

• Helmets mandatory for rider and passenger
• Drink-drive limit is effectively 0.0 BAC
• Any alcohol is finable, with large penalties under Decree 168

Insurance: why a fine is only the start of the cost

Riding without a recognised licence can void your own travel-medical cover, because illegal operation is a standard exclusion. Compulsory CTPL protects a person you injure, not you, and can be refused for an unlicensed at-fault rider. A rental "damage waiver" is a contractual cap, not insurance.

The fine is the visible cost. The hidden one is insurance. There are three honest layers, and none of them makes an illegal rider "fully insured."

First, compulsory CTPL covers a third party you injure, not your own injuries or bike, and it can be refused when the at-fault rider has no recognised licence. Second, a rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is a contractual cap on what the shop charges you for damage to its bike — it is not insurance. Third, your own travel-medical policy (for example Genki Traveler, which can cover riding up to roughly 125cc including a licence-free electric) is the layer that protects you — but riding illegally without a recognised licence can void it.

So the real worst case after a crash on an unlicensed petrol bike is the fine, the impound, your medical bills uninsured, and personal liability for anyone you hurt. That is the maths that makes a licence-free electric the sensible choice when your permit isn't recognised.

• CTPL protects a third party, not you, and can be refused for an unlicensed at-fault rider
• A rental damage waiver (CDW) is a contractual cap, not insurance
• Your own travel-medical cover can be voided by riding illegally

How to ride 2026 Da Nang without a fine

If your licence is recognised, carry a valid 1968 IDP matched to engine size: A1 for up to 125cc, A for over 125cc. If it isn't recognised, ride a licence-free electric scooter rated 4 kW or under. Always wear a helmet, never ride after any alcohol, and obey lights and phone rules.

The safe path splits by your permit. With a recognised home licence plus a valid 1968 IDP, you can legally ride a petrol bike — category A1 covers up to 125cc and category A covers over 125cc. Carry the physical IDP, not just your home licence.

If your country issues the 1949 permit, do not let anyone put you on a petrol bike over 50cc. The legal, honest option is an electric scooter rated 4 kW or under, which needs no licence and no IDP for any nationality.

On danang.bike, the AI concierge Kai runs a 90-second legal check before you book, so you ride the right bike for your paperwork rather than gambling on the road. Pricing is all-in from $18/day with delivery, two helmets and 24/7 support, no passport deposit, and a cash deposit on handover.

• Recognised licence + 1968 IDP: A1 for up to 125cc, A for over 125cc
• Not recognised: licence-free electric scooter rated 4 kW or under
• Helmet on, zero alcohol, obey red lights, no phone in hand

Frequently asked questions