Types of Driver's Licenses in Korea

Which types of South Korean driver's licenses are allowed to be converted to a Vietnamese license?

Currently, the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport allows for the conversion of South Korean driver's licenses to Vietnamese licenses based on the principle of equivalent exchange. This means that the category of the South Korean driver's license will determine the equivalent category in the Vietnamese license.

Conversion of motorcycle licenses: Both the Type 1 and Type 2 regular driver's licenses in South Korea are eligible for conversion. Specifically, for individuals who operate motorcycles, special motorcycles, or industrial motorcycles, a Type 1 regular driver's license will be converted to an equivalent category in Vietnam.

Conversion of South Korean car licenses to Vietnam: For car licenses, individuals are allowed to convert based on both types of licenses, depending on the engine displacement of the vehicle. Specifically:

Type 1 regular driver's license (for manual transmission vehicles): for vehicles with an engine displacement of over 125cc.
Type 2 regular driver's license (for automatic transmission vehicles): the most common type of license in South Korea, issued for driving automatic transmission vehicles.

Generally, the procedure for converting a South Korean driver's license is not too complicated, and the process is relatively fast. The specific procedure will depend on the nationality of the individual seeking conversion.

Procedure for converting a South Korean driver's license to Vietnam for foreigners:

Foreigners who want to convert their South Korean driver's license to a Vietnamese license need to prepare the following documents:

Both sides of the South Korean driver's license issued in South Korea.
Information page in the foreign passport or South Korean passport.
Visa or temporary residence card/temporary residence stamp in Vietnam.
One 3x4 or 4x6 size photo.
Residential address in Vietnam of the person applying for the conversion.

Procedure for converting a South Korean driver's license to Vietnam for individuals with dual citizenship:

Individuals with dual citizenship, in this case, meaning Vietnamese citizenship and another foreign citizenship, need to provide the following documents:

Both sides of the South Korean driver's license (issued in South Korea).
Both sides of the Vietnamese identification card (if applicable).
Information page in the foreign passport or South Korean passport.
Information page in the Vietnamese passport.
One 3x4 or 4x6 size photo.

Procedure for converting a South Korean driver's license to Vietnam for Vietnamese individuals:

Vietnamese individuals with a South Korean driver's license who wish to convert it to a Vietnamese license need to fulfill the following requirements:

Both sides of the South Korean driver's license (issued in South Korea).
Both sides of the Vietnamese identification card (if applicable).
Visa or valid residence permit in South Korea.
One 3x4 or 4x6 size photo.
Recent entry visa confirmation stamp into Vietnam.

The cost of converting a Korean driver's license to a Vietnamese one depends on several factors, including the applicant, the documents required for the conversion, and the location of the conversion registration. The average costs are as follows:

- For foreigners: 1,400,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND, depending on the class of the Korean driver's license (A1 or A2).
- For dual citizens: 1,550,000 VND to 2,100,000 VND, depending on the specific documents and the class of license to be converted (car or motorcycle).
- For Vietnamese citizens: 2,500,000 VND to 3,700,000 VND, depending on the specific documents.

The reason why the cost for Vietnamese citizens is higher than the other two groups is because Vietnamese citizens need to process their documents at the Department of Transportation, the Embassy, and the Consulate.

How long does it take to convert a Korean driver's license to a Vietnamese one?

According to Vietnamese regulations, individuals with temporary residence cards or visa exemption for more than 3 months in Vietnam are eligible to apply for the conversion. The estimated time from submitting the application to successful conversion is about 6 days. Once successfully converted, the validity of the Vietnamese driver's license depends on one of three documents: passport, visa exemption, or driver's license. The shortest validity among these documents will determine the validity of the driver's license.

Where can you convert a Korean driver's license to a Vietnamese one?

The process of converting a Korean driver's license to a Vietnamese one usually involves legal issues and verifying information. Therefore, choosing a reputable and professional service provider is crucial. Tien Bo Driving Center is one of the few establishments that support the conversion of Korean driver's licenses to Vietnamese ones, with 15 years of experience in the industry and completing hundreds of conversion applications. The center takes pride in its dedicated consultants who are ready to assist both Vietnamese and foreign individuals in quickly converting their licenses. They ensure all steps of the process are completed and all necessary documents are provided. Tien Bo Driving Center guarantees that the converted license will be recognized by the Vietnam Ministry of Transport, and the converted class will be equivalent to the Korean driver's license class, with a valid period according to regulations. In addition to Korean licenses, they also support the conversion of licenses from many other countries.