blue card

very few do actually a registration in their name, after buying a bike, as it is, especially for poor people quite costly (VND 400000+, depending on city)parallel to it, the road worthiness will be "checked", number plate and occasionally the driving licence..., so many will skip this.

Insurance - you can buy just like a bus ticket virtually on any petrol station, bike shop ...., 80000 VND a year.
...and be sure, a bus ticket contains more information than the insurance ticket.

Once registered, it's good for virtually ever, at least for now, in Nha Trang.
Saigon is now about to get rules for TUV like chek ups.

Despite the law approves, you might own one, the NT registration office does not accept foreigners, they will send you again in circles, as well as the shops.

A formless contract (in Vietnamese), which allows you to use the bike will suffice, insurance you still have to buy.

You have the address for the paper works in NT, they will manage even to get a registration in your name 79-NN (makes yourself a target for police) or purchasing in your name.

ok thanks for that, good info...

If you want to register something n your name, you will need at least one year remaining ona Work Permit, etc. You will need to find the registrant of the vehicle in order to transfer it to you.

VAT is applied on your wheels are a rate determined by the government and NOT what you paid.

If you know the registrant buy Third Party/Fire/Theft in his name and Comprehensive in your name. Owning a motorcycle can still land someone in jail even if they weren't driving.

Insurance can be purchased at most gas stations on weekdays. Registration offices want to see your insurance, usually, when they change ownership.

Getting anew plate  is worth it, in case the old plate has outstanding anything on it.

I always carry a photocopy of the ownership and the original insurance. Even if you have no licence, these keep the cops half-happy. Or it reduces your bribe.

yeah I got my license I was just wondering what happens when you buy a second hand bike, it seems like the norm is that the second or third owner only has the papers from the first registration date, and when you buy it there is no actual transfer of ownership ? But if you can produce the blue card and license and insurance the police are ok.

panda7 wrote:

yeah I got my license I was just wondering what happens when you buy a second hand bike, it seems like the norm is that the second or third owner only has the papers from the first registration date, and when you buy it there is no actual transfer of ownership ? But if you can produce the blue card and license and insurance the police are ok.

somehow like this, it works commonly, but not legally. I know police quite gently with foreigners, most of the time. But it can change every minute/day. Changes are the only steadiness.

I have my papers to 100% ok, but so far, only ones, papers where required, leaving a "tip" hunter unpaid.

And this (requested) tip alone was more, than all papers cost together.
In January, all documents running out - there is the first renewal, and I will redo them all, whatever it takes. I not really like getting up every day worried - if maybe today ....

ok my next question. It seems like you can get third party insurance and comprehensive insurance through any garage ?...can you get this insurance with only the old rego papers (usually out of date). Is this actually the real deal and how much third party are you covered for ? and is it ok for a foreigner to buy, even if bike is not registered in his name ?

If I want third party am I better off going through an honest company ? and if so can anyone recommend one...

Cheers

panda7 wrote:

ok my next question. It seems like you can get third party insurance and comprehensive insurance through any garage ?...can you get this insurance with only the old rego papers (usually out of date). Is this actually the real deal and how much third party are you covered for ? and is it ok for a foreigner to buy ? even if bike is not registered in his name ?

If I want third party am I better off going through an honest company ? and if so can anyone recommend one...

Cheers

Yes, you get it virtually anywhere, where they sell stuff for/or bikes, including gas stations.
I am not sure, but papers are not required to this, you might have to give the registration/number plate number.
Yes, this is the real deal and it is not good for anything, but during a police control.
The insurance is required for the driver. I wish, I could read that stuff better


You should have, same like Vietnamese 3 documents for and when riding a bike:
- driving licence
- insurance
- right to use the bike (either as a kind of contract (if registered to someone else) and or the  registration of the bike).

No eye test or first aid is required. As a matter of fact, when on the way - NEVER STOP THERE, WHERE YOU NOT HAVE PLANNED TO STOP. YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT, move away to next busy (hopefully not only Vietnamese people, ideally foreigners place/bar ..) and make yourself to the police known, NEVER SIGN A THING ON THE ROAD....

CALL YOUR BEST BUDDY if YOU HAVE, when moving to a secure place..

If police stops you, and it's only 1, you might ride on, BUT showing him, you stop near/on a secure/light place, not on a dark, dodgy side road.

yes ok so the garage bought insurance is only good for police control. So I will get that. What I'm after is third party from a legit company that will pay out if an accident is caused and someone is seriously injured...I know most accidents are minor and resolved in cash but what happens if someone is seriously injured. I saw a guy go under a bus the other day but fortunately he was ok. So is there a company that you can get decent third party from or don't they exist here.

panda7 wrote:

yes ok so the garage bought insurance is only good for police control. So I will get that. What I'm after is third party from a legit company that will pay out if an accident is caused and someone is seriously injured...I know most accidents are minor and resolved in cash but what happens if someone is seriously injured. I saw a guy go under a bus the other day but fortunately he was ok. So is there a company that you can get decent third party from or don't they exist here.

You might not find, someone insuring for this. No policy is worth the paper written on it.

panda7 wrote:

...I know most accidents are minor and resolved in cash but what happens if someone is seriously injured. I saw a guy go under a bus the other day but fortunately he was ok. So is there a company that you can get decent third party from or don't they exist here.

Ding, ding.

That is insurance you are buying, they just don't pay out on fender benders.

Depending on whether you buy TP/F/T or Comprehensive is what you are covered for.

The main purpose is to keep the insurance reserves topped up. It is still insurance, though.

Always try to get hit by a 4-wheel vehicle, their insurance is better.

l3ully wrote:

they will manage even to get a registration in your name 79-NN (makes yourself a target for police) or purchasing in your name.

see this is why you are better off getting a second hand bike with the rego in someone elses name. Because under the current system if you own the bike then on sell it, in several years time after it has passed through a number of owners you are still deemed the owner of the bike ! and if the bike has no insurance and causes an accident and the rider runs off your ass is on the line.

Coming from a western country I'm still trying to get my head around bike ownership and insurance so appreciate all your input.

I only buy new motorcycles and none have NN plates. Not even my so-called people mover has NN plates - just regular plates from DakLak and two from HCM.

Remember, certain plates are issued depending on the VAT situation. NN, LD, S, etc.

Cops look for bad drivers first, then note the plate numbers. As in any other country speeding, overloading gets priority and Foreigners who drive locals - not stopping for lights, etc.  I had a NN for years and never made a difference.

when you say none have NN plates do you mean plates registered in your name...so does this mean you have the plates registered in a Vietnamese name when you buy the bike new ?


Cheers

panda7 wrote:

when you say none have NN plates do you mean plates registered in your name...so does this mean you have the plates registered in a Vietnamese name when you buy the bike new ?


Cheers

The NN declares you as foreigner

l3ully wrote:

Once registered, it's good for virtually ever, at least for now, in Nha Trang.

ok I guess what my question is is if a bike has the first registration paper i.e the blue card is it under Vietnamese law (road transport rules) considered street legal after several years and owners ? so if say after 5 years and three owners the bike has the first registration paper but no further registration/renewal is it considered road legal by law (not police law) or do you have to update the registration in your name for it to be considered street legal.

From what I can tell speaking to various people is if you have the first registration paper and a contract for sale then the vehicle is considered street legal. And hence there is no registration system that requires continual up to date registration. Though if you want you can register the bike in your name but I see no point in this..is this right ?

Cheers

I think, in Saigon, they still discuss, if implementing a kind of road worthiness check. That is basically regional and can come here any time after, either as local law or from Hanoi.
If you not register in your name, you MUST HAVE SOMETHING, which proves, that you are permitted to use the bike + somehow the original papers (a Vietnamese friend could write similar .... I declare, panda7 can use my bike..., if any questions arising, please call 0123456789.

As for Part 2, I understand exactly the same and truth is very near on that.

You still will need some kind of insurance + a driving licence

yes thanks I got my insurance today and I have my drivers license. In a foreign country your vehicle must have up to date registration for any insurance etc to be valid. But what I'm starting to understand is that for Vietnam this system is not in place yet so as long as a bike has its initial registration and you have some proof of transfer / contract for sale or right to use letter then the vehicle is considered street legal by law.

roughly my idea about this. A normal registration is about 500000 VND. For many Vietnamese it is almost a monthly income, possible one of the reasons for not making the registration.

so when a bike is registered be it the first time or when you have a new owner is there a duration the rego is valid for like the more money you pay the longer the bike is registered for ? or is it good for life as other posters have suggested.

The registration, it's actually only the (registration) NUMBER you pay, ONLY ONCE. The plate costs extra.

The registration is a ownership title transfer. The VAT is calculated and charged, too. By not changing the registration, VAT charges are avoided.

On the first registration, the dealership either assists in the process OR they give you documentation to prove VAT has been paid.

There was no annual fee paid in addition, however that is about to change in the larger cities.

From what I can tell speaking to various people is if you have the first registration paper and a contract for sale then the vehicle is considered street legal. And hence there is no registration system that requires continual up to date registration. Though if you want you can register the bike in your name but I see no point in this..is this right ?

Street legal has little to do with registration. This is all about legal ownership/lawful possession.

One the thing is in your name it remains so until you change it.

Registering the vehicle in your name means that you have TOTAL control over it and don't have to track the person whose name it is registered in.

A high percentage of the vehicles on the road aren't mechanically fit - it's how the CGST bump their pay.

The complications arise if you have an accident or the police seize the vehicle for an offence. THEN you need the registered owner, complete with ID, to settle the matter.

And change the crappy filament lamps on side markers and tail stop/direction markers to LED - at least you know they will never fail.

Remember, popular mcycle types have common master keys out in the public. Fitting a discrete switch in series with the ignition switch slows thieves down.

Laws in TP HCM, Ha Noi and Da Nang are totally different to elsewhere, what's good in NT doesn't always apply in the Big City.

ok thanks for you help guys I think I understand now...

ok well just an update. I got my insurance from the garage for 86,000vnd. It was comprehensive so included third party cover which is 50,000,000 to body and 30,000,000 to property.

I also managed to find a company in Vietnam that covers you for extra third party and personal injury if you want it. You can modify the amount of cover to suit and hence the cost but for 150,000 I can get third party of 150,000,000 (maximum) to body and 20,000,000 to property (which can go up to 500,000,000 if you want, 100,000,000 for e.g costs 70,000vnd). It's not a lot of cover but for 150,000 for 12 months it cant hurt and if you ding up someones brand new Vespa and take a few photos there is a reasonable chance you will be paid out.

If anyone is interested the company is Hung Vuong Assurance. I went through Blue Cross Vietnam who lodge the insurance for you with Hung Vuong Assurance who are their partners. The contact at Blue Cross Vietnam has good english. You just email them and say you want third party motorbike insurance. You can probably also go direct if you want.

One interesting thing that came up is a foreigner who rents a scooter does need a license but they don't need insurance. Which means the owner of the bike is responsible for the bike even if they are not driving it. If the foreigner owns the bike he/she needs insurance. The government insurance bought through the garages etc is considered compulsory.

If anyone is interested I can forward on the details...

Cheers

Will I need insurance when I rent a bike? What documents if any do I need to carry?

From what I can gather your foreign driving license is valid for 3 months on entering the country (how this works if your foreign license is for car only I don't know). You don't need the compulsory Vietnamese insurance as you are renting and not the owner of the bike though it wouldn't hurt to buy it anyway as only 86,000 from any garage. You can ask the rental place for a copy of the bikes registration papers and their insurance to carry in the bike in case you are stopped by police.

If you have been in Vietnam longer than three months you will need a Vietnamese license which you can get at 10 Nguyen Thien Thuat St, Nha Trang for $75. It is a translated license and only valid till the expiry of your foreign license. So for this you need to have on your foreign license the ability to ride a motorbike else it will just translate to car only and be no good for you. It is also possible to obtain a permanent Vietnamese license which may be necessary if your foreign license is for car only.

If you have travel insurance from your home country I would suggest reading their disclosure document to see if you are covered for personal injury whilst riding a motorbike/scooter. Quite often they will cover you for this but will charge more for the option. Your foreign travel insurer however will not cover you for third party body and property damage.

Alternatively and additionally you can contact Blue Cross Vietnam and they can arrange personal cover up to US$50,000 and third party to about $7,500 for body and $25,000 for property which can be tailored to your budget as I mentioned in the previous post. Their third party insurance option is worth getting as only costs about $8.50 a year. How legit the insurance is I don't know but they seem ok and have several options for motorbike.

p.s this is info I have attained for myself from speaking to various people so I'm not giving it as advice nor should you consider it to be accurate as I have zero understanding of Vietnamese law.

panda7 wrote:

... The government insurance bought through the garages etc is considered compulsory...Cheers

These premiums finance the road kill fund.

Each year the government assigns a value to a dead bodies worth and this is the amount paid out (or claimed from the other party - depending on circumstances of accident).

Can anyone tell me where one must go to get VN license to drive a scooter? My translated U.S. drivers license will not be valid for much longer, so I would like to get a VN one. How difficult is it to get one? Can you pass it if you do not speak the language?How much does it cost? And again, where do I go to do this.

bta87 your kind of screwed here guy. You'll need at least a 3 month business visa linked to a work permit from what I've read.

No work permits are related toa visa. The relate to residence card

l3ully thanks for the clarification. That's basically what I meant.

"Work Visa" = B3 can be granted to persons, wishing to work in Vietnam for the term of 3 month and renewd maximal twice. Before Obtaing a new one (B3), the Visa Holder has to leave the country for the same periode, as he/she did hold the visa (max 9 month total = max 9 month absence from Vietnam).

Expetions and other practies are also common for this rule.