Do Electric Motorbikes Need A License In Vietnam? 2026 Rules

Vietnam Travel Law · Updated July 2026

Do electric motorbikes need a license in Vietnam? For most rental e-bikes, the answer is no — and that is exactly why thousands of travellers choose them every month. But the rule has precise legal limits, and crossing them turns a fun ride into a 2–4 million dong fine. Here is the full 2026 picture, based on Vietnam’s current traffic law.

✅ Quick answer: Under Vietnam’s Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (No. 36/2024/QH15, in force since 01/01/2025), you do not need a driving license for an electric motorbike with a motor of 4 kW or less and a design speed of 50 km/h or less. Anything more powerful is legally a motorcycle and requires an A1 (up to 11 kW) or A license.

Tourist riding a license-free electric motorbike in Hoi An Vietnam — Under 4 kW and 50 km/h, an electric motorbike is license-free in Vietnam — perfect for Hoi An’s flat, slow streets

No-license limit

≤ 4 kW & ≤ 50 km/h

Fine without license

2–4 million ₫

IDP accepted

1968 Convention

Minimum age

16+

In this guide

The short answer: when you don’t need a license
Vietnam’s 2025–2026 law, explained simply
Foreigners, IDPs and the 1949/1968 problem
Fines if you ride without a license
Electric motorbike vs 50cc scooter
How to check your rental bike is license-free
Rules that still apply to everyone
Best no-license options in Hoi An
FAQ

The Short Answer: When You Don’t Need a License

Vietnamese law divides two-wheelers by power and design speed, not by fuel. If your electric bike stays inside both limits below, it is classed as a “xe gắn máy” (moped) — a category that currently requires no driving license at all:

Vehicle	Limits	License needed?
Electric bicycle (xe đạp điện)	Pedals, ≤ 250 W, ≤ 25 km/h	❌ None — treated like a bicycle
Electric moped / e-motorbike	≤ 4 kW and ≤ 50 km/h	❌ None (age 16+)
Petrol scooter under 50cc	< 50 cm³	❌ None (age 16+)
Electric motorbike ≤ 11 kW	Above 4 kW or above 50 km/h	✅ A1 license
Electric motorbike > 11 kW	High-performance e-bikes	✅ A license

So the popular rental e-bikes you see all over Hoi An — small hub motors, capped around 45–50 km/h — sit squarely in the no-license zone. A performance e-motorbike that does 70 km/h does not, no matter what a rental shop tells you.

Vietnam’s 2025–2026 Law, Explained Simply

Two pieces of legislation matter in 2026, and both are new:

Law 36/2024/QH15 (Road Traffic Order & Safety) — in force since 1 January 2025. It redefined vehicle classes: the A1 license now covers petrol motorbikes up to 125cc and electric motorbikes up to 11 kW; the A license covers everything above. Mopeds — including electrics within 4 kW / 50 km/h — remain license-free.
Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP — the new penalty schedule from 1 January 2025, which sharply increased traffic fines across the board (details below).

One more nuance worth knowing: “design speed” means the speed the vehicle is built and registered for, not how fast you personally ride it. A bike designed for 70 km/h ridden slowly at 40 km/h still legally requires a license.

Foreigners, IDPs and the 1949/1968 Problem

International driving permit and motorbike license rules for foreigners in Vietnam — Vietnam only recognises IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention — with a motorcycle (A) endorsement

For anything above the moped limits, foreigners need one of two things: a Vietnamese license (converted or tested locally) or an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention with the motorcycle category endorsed, used together with your home license.

Here is the catch that surprises many travellers: countries like the United States, Canada and Australia issue 1949-Convention IDPs — which Vietnam does not recognise. If you are from one of those countries and visiting short-term, you cannot legally ride anything that requires a license. For you, a license-free electric motorbike or 50cc scooter is not just the easy option — it is the only fully legal option.

💡 Good news: the no-license moped class has no nationality condition. Whether you are American, Australian, Korean or German — if the e-bike is within 4 kW / 50 km/h and you are 16 or older, you can ride it legally with just your passport in your pocket.

Fines If You Ride Without a License (Decree 168/2024)

Vietnam raised traffic fines significantly from 2025. Riding a vehicle that requires a license without holding one now costs:

Vehicle you’re caught on	Fine (no license)
Motorbike under 125cc / e-bike over 4 kW	2,000,000 – 4,000,000 ₫ (~$80–160)
Motorbike 125cc+ / e-bike over 11 kW	6,000,000 – 8,000,000 ₫ (~$240–320)

⚠️ It gets worse than the fine: police can impound the bike, your travel insurance is almost always void if you ride unlicensed, and after an accident that means paying hospital bills from your own pocket. The fine is the cheapest part of the risk.

Electric Motorbike vs 50cc Scooter — Which One for You?

Electric motorbike and 50cc scooter rental comparison in Hoi An — Both are license-free — the choice comes down to range, noise and feel

	⚡ Electric motorbike	🛵 50cc petrol scooter
License	None (within 4 kW / 50 km/h)	None
Range	60–100 km per charge	150–200 km per tank
Refuel / recharge	4–8h charge (overnight)	2 minutes at any petrol stand
Noise & vibration	Silent, smooth	Louder, classic scooter feel
Best for	Old Town, beach loops, eco travellers	Longer day trips, spontaneous riders

Planning to rent one? See current models and prices on our scooter rental Hoi An page.

For Hoi An itself — a flat town where everything worth seeing sits within 10 km — the electric motorbike wins on comfort and silence. Planning a day trip toward My Son or up the coast? The 50cc’s petrol range is the safer bet.

How to Check Your Rental Bike Is Actually License-Free

Ask for the motor power in writing: “Is this under 4 kW?” A good shop answers instantly and shows the spec plate.
Check the design speed: capped at 50 km/h or less = moped class. If the speedo runs to 70+, ask directly.
Don’t rely on looks: some sporty e-bikes look identical to license-class machines.
Rent from a shop that labels its fleet: at Anh Khoa every bike in the “50cc & E-Bikes — No License” category is verified to be within the legal moped limits — so what you book is what the law allows.

Rules That Still Apply to Everyone (License or Not)

Helmet — always. Mandatory for rider and passenger, fines apply and no shop should let you leave without one.
Minimum age 16 for license-free mopeds; 18 for anything requiring an A1/A license.
Zero alcohol. Vietnam has a strict 0.00 blood-alcohol rule for riders — heavily enforced since 2025.
Keep to the right, mind the flow. Traffic in Hoi An is slow and forgiving, but follow the local rhythm.
Carry your passport (or a copy) — police may ask for ID at checkpoints.

Best No-License Options in Hoi An

Renting a no-license electric motorbike in Hoi An with hotel delivery — License-free e-bikes and 50cc scooters — delivered free to your hotel in Hoi An

⚡ VinFast Electric Bike — silent & smooth

Comfortable seat, real-world range up to 100 km, zero fumes. Ideal for the Old Town → An Bang Beach → rice paddies loop. See the electric bike →

🛵 SYM Shark 50cc — the classic no-license scooter

Petrol convenience with moped-class legality. Big wheels, stable ride, refuel anywhere in 2 minutes. See the SYM 50cc →

Ride legally from day one

Every no-license bike at Anh Khoa is verified within Vietnam’s 4 kW / 50 km/h moped limits — free hotel delivery in Hoi An, helmets and local riding map included.

Browse no-license bikes →

FAQ — Electric Motorbike License Rules in Vietnam

Do electric motorbikes need a license in Vietnam?

No — electric motorbikes with a motor of 4 kW or less and a design speed of 50 km/h or less are classed as mopeds under Law 36/2024/QH15 and require no driving license. More powerful e-bikes need an A1 license (up to 11 kW) or an A license (above 11 kW).

Can Americans or Australians legally ride in Vietnam?

Only on license-free vehicles. The US, Canada and Australia issue IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention, which Vietnam does not recognise — so their citizens cannot legally ride license-class motorbikes as tourists. E-bikes and 50cc scooters within moped limits remain fully legal for them.

What is the fine for riding without a license in Vietnam?

Under Decree 168/2024, riding a motorbike under 125cc without the required license costs 2–4 million dong; 125cc and above (or e-bikes over 11 kW) costs 6–8 million dong. The bike can also be impounded and your travel insurance will not cover you.

Do I need a helmet on a license-free electric motorbike?

Yes. Helmets are mandatory in Vietnam for riders and passengers of all motorbikes and electric bikes, regardless of license class. Reputable rental shops include helmets free.

How old do I have to be to ride a no-license e-bike?

16 years old for mopeds (electric ≤ 4 kW / ≤ 50 km/h and petrol under 50cc). Anything requiring an A1 or A license needs you to be 18+.

Is an electric motorbike or a 50cc scooter better for Hoi An?

For riding around Hoi An town and the beach, the electric motorbike is quieter, smoother and fume-free with 60–100 km of range. For longer day trips, a 50cc petrol scooter refuels in minutes anywhere. Both are license-free.

Bottom line: in 2026 Vietnam gives travellers a genuinely legal way to ride without any license — stay within 4 kW and 50 km/h, wear your helmet, and Hoi An is yours to explore. Choose a shop that puts those numbers in writing, and you’ll never have to argue specs with a traffic officer.

Legal references: Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15 (effective 01/01/2025) and Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP. Rules current as of July 2026 — laws can change; when in doubt, ask your rental shop to confirm your bike’s motor power and design speed in writing.

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