Sixteenth birthday, in Vietnam, unlocks exactly one motorised option: a moped of 50cc or less. Here is what the law says, precisely.
The age rule
Under the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (No. 36/2024/QH15), a moped — a two- or three-wheel vehicle designed for no more than 50 km/h with an engine of 50cc or less, or an electric motor of 4 kW or less — requires no driving licence. Article 59 sets the minimum rider age at 16. Article 56(4) adds that moped riders must understand traffic rules, have basic handling skills, and meet the age and health conditions.
Below 16, riding any motorised two-wheeler on public roads is not legal, full stop.
What 16 does not unlock
A 110cc Wave, a 125cc scooter, anything with a manual clutch and a bigger engine — all of these are xe máy, and they require an A1 licence, which you can only hold from 18. The boundary is enforced: under Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP (Article 18(4)), a 16-to-under-18-year-old riding a motorbike of 50cc or more is fined 400,000–600,000 VND, and the fine schedule treats mopeds and motorbikes identically for ordinary violations like helmet or red-light offences.
The school training question
Decree 151/2024/NĐ-CP organises road-safety knowledge and safe-moped-riding skills training for high-school and vocational students. What it does not do is create a universal certificate requirement: traffic police have publicly clarified that 16-to-18-year-olds may ride mopeds, including electric mopeds up to 4 kW, without a licence or certificate, with the training operating through schools. Our training article explains what the programme actually teaches.
The duties that come with the key
At 16 the rider carries the same obligations as any adult: a fastened, standard-compliant helmet; no alcohol; lights, lanes, and signals obeyed; the moped kept roadworthy. Insurance is compulsory for the vehicle. Parents handing over a bike are handing over legal responsibilities, not just keys — our parents’ guide covers the decision honestly.
Practical advice (not legal advice)
Start with supervised rides on quiet streets before joining rush hour; wear gear, not just a helmet; and pick a bike the rider can put both feet down on. The licence article is the canonical statement of the rules on this hub.
Information, not legal advice. Verified against the full text of Law 36/2024/QH15 and Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP on 2026-09-24.