Agreement on the mutual recognition of international driving permits between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Korea

AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ON THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS

The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (“Vietnam”) and the Government of the Republic of Korea (“Korea”) (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”);

Desiring to promote the interests of the peoples of both countries and enhance people-to-people exchanges through the mutual recognition of international driving permits,

HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1

1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “International Driving Permit” means:

(a) For Vietnam: the International Driving Permit as prescribed in the Convention on Road Traffic, done at Vienna on November 8, 1968; and

(b) For Korea: the International Driving Permit as prescribed in the Convention on Road Traffic, done at Geneva on September 19, 1949.

2. Each Party shall mutually recognize a valid International Driving Permit issued by the other Party to allow the holder to operate the following types of motor vehicles for non-commercial purposes:

(a) In Vietnam:

(i) Korean nationals holding an International Driving Permit of Category A issued by Korea shall be permitted to operate motor vehicles in accordance with the category specified in such permit; and

(ii) Korean nationals holding other categories of International Driving Permits issued by Korea shall be permitted to operate motor vehicles of Category B under such permit; and

(b) In Korea:

(i) Vietnamese nationals holding an International Driving Permit of Category A, A1, or B1 issued by Vietnam shall be permitted to operate motor vehicles in accordance with the category specified in such permit; and

(ii) Vietnamese nationals holding other categories of International Driving Permits issued by Vietnam shall be permitted to operate motor vehicles in accordance with the category specified in such permit.

3. The vehicle categories of International Driving Permits issued by the Parties are listed in Annexes A and B.

Article 2

Citizens of one Party holding a valid International Driving Permit as described above shall be permitted to drive motor vehicles of the respective categories as stipulated in Clause 2 Article 1 of this Agreement within the territory of the other Party for a maximum duration of one (01) year from the date of entry into that territory, provided that the International Driving Permit remains valid and is presented along with the corresponding national driving license.

Article 3

1. Citizens holding an International Driving Permit issued by one Party shall comply with the national laws of the other Party when driving within its territory.

2. Each Party may suspend the right to use the International Driving Permit within its territory if the permit holder violates regulations in that territory that would, under the national laws of that Party, result in suspension of the license.
In such cases, the Party may:

(a) Suspend and retain the International Driving Permit until the expiration of the suspension period under its national laws or until the driver departs from its territory, whichever is earlier;

(b) Notify the other Party of the suspension of the right to use the International Driving Permit; and

(c) Record the violation (endorsement) on the International Driving Permit, stating that the permit is not valid in its territory during the suspension period in accordance with its laws.

Article 4

1. The Parties shall cooperate in the implementation of this Agreement.

2. The Parties shall provide each other, through diplomatic channels, with the following information and documents:

(a) Contact points: competent authorities, including address, telephone number, fax number, email address, and name of representative;

(b) Samples of International Driving Permits and national driving licenses within the scope of this Agreement; and

(c) Legislation related to the issuance and use of International Driving Permits and national driving licenses.

3. The Parties shall promptly notify each other, through diplomatic channels, of any changes to their International Driving Permits or any legal amendments that may affect the implementation of this Agreement, as well as any updates to their contact information.

4. In case of doubts concerning the validity or authenticity of an International Driving Permit, one Party may request the other Party to verify such validity or authenticity through the contact point specified in Point (a) Clause 2 of this Article.

5. The Party receiving a request for verification of the validity or authenticity of the International Driving Permit shall promptly respond to the verification request.

Article 5

1. This Agreement shall be subject to the relevant laws in force in each country and the international treaties to which each country is a party.

2. This Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under the international treaties to which they are parties.

Article 6

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be resolved through consultations between the Parties.

Article 7

1. This Agreement shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of its signing and shall remain in effect indefinitely.

2. Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving written notice through diplomatic channels. Termination shall take effect sixty (60) days after the other Party receives the notice.

3. This Agreement may be amended by written consent of both Parties. Any such amendment shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of receipt of written consent by both Parties and shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

The undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done at Hanoi, on June 23, 2023, in two (02) original copies in Vietnamese, Korean and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

APPENDIX A

CATEGORIES OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

APPENDIX B

CATEGORIES OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

“Maximum permissible mass” of a vehicle refers to the sum of the vehicle’s own mass and its authorized maximum load."Authorized maximum load” is the maximum load as announced by the competent authority of the country where the vehicle is registered."Light trailer” means a trailer with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 750 kg (1.650 lbs.).