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Don't you have a Vietnam license?
I never bothered about keeping my Dutch license. Should I ever return to live there I will apply for and receive a Dutch license again. With my PR license I can rent a car in Holland (or anywhere else) without  problems; my German license did just as fine..

thanks for the feedback gary

Yes, I have VN license. they gave me one based on my US license. If they will renew it (the VN license) with making it dependent on my US license, that will work fine. Alas, at least one person has told me they will not do that, that is the will not grant a foreigner a license beyond the duration of the foreign license. If I can renew my VN license that will solve my problems.

(also, I think one difference between Holland and the US may be "states" ... in the US licenses are granted by the individual states... to renew a license you must go to that state. I don't plan on returning to my current state)

Hi I usually renew mine online in Tenn.  But you can only do it once every four years so as long as you return once every eight years you are good.  Other option is to get a European one. They last 10 years. Mark in Venice

markmitaly wrote:

Other option is to get a European one. They last 10 years. Mark in Venice

how does one get a European license while living in Vietnam, as the OP is?

I think the problem the OP has isn't one that can be solved legally, since you're only supposed to have a license in the US if you're actually living there.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to get a license from a state you don't live in.

Ive done for years when i was serving with the us army and just recently did it so its not illegal as you think its online in tenn. Dont know about other states But i did it for my Mass license too

the military gets a special exception from state laws. Most states have a special clause saying in effect: "you must live in this state or be in the military".

on another front, I have now been told by one of the services that he;p foreigners get Vietnamese drivers licenses that although my first VN license was dependent on my Vermont license, I can still renew the Vietnamese license even after my Vermont license expires

I know military gets special waivers, I worked as a civilian for the Army.  I'm simply saying I've been overseas for over 20 years. However my experience in Tenn. and Mass, I only had to go online to renew my drivers license after 4 years which would then give me another 4.  After that I had to return to the US to renew. Check on your individual states or go online in your state and they will have an answer for you.

Hello woodsdancer

I am from the US and lived in multiple states before moving to the UAE. I also have a degree in criminal justice. Here is what I do know.

#1 Yes you must renew in person in all states IF your license is ready expired and/or if you are switching states. After the initial issuance some states do allow you to renew online (as someone here mentioned) but not most. They are looking for a current photo, address etc...for that they need you in person. Good thing is in most states dls are good for at least 8 years now.

#2 Because you are a US citizen living abroad you are legally allowed to use any US address you would like as your "state side address"...granted the person's address you are using is ok with that lol (they will get mail for you if you use it anywhere! Telemarketers and bill collecters are like hound dogs!! I speak from experience lol) Therefore YES  you can legally use that on your drivers license 

Good luck...I know what you are going through! I moved here from Illinois but all of my connections are in New York State and I didnt have time to switch my DL before we left. I plan to do it on our next trip home at the end of the year. Our mail was all forwarded to my mother in law's....who still recieves all kinds of mail and calls from telemarketers even though the mail stopped being forwarding by the P.O. months ago!! May as well use that addy for my DL now! Lol