From January 1, 2025, what are cases prohibited from overtaking in Vietnam? What should vehicle operators do when another vehicle signals overtaking in Vietnam?
From January 1, 2025, what are cases prohibited from overtaking in Vietnam?
According to Clause 6, Article 14 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, overtaking is prohibited under the following cases:
(1) When the following conditions are not ensured:
Vehicles intending to overtake can only proceed when there is no obstruction ahead, no oncoming vehicle in the intended overtaking section, no overtaking signal from the preceding vehicle, the preceding vehicle has signaled right turn, and moved to the right.
(2) On narrow bridges with a single lane;
(3) On curves with limited visibility;
(4) On two-way roads at the crest of a hill with limited visibility;
(5) At intersections, level crossings with railways;
(6) When the weather or road conditions do not ensure safety for overtaking;
(7) When encountering priority vehicles;
(8) In pedestrian crossings;
(9) When there are pedestrians, wheelchair users crossing the road;
(10) In tunnels.
From January 1, 2025, what are cases prohibited from overtaking in Vietnam? What should vehicle operators do when another vehicle signals overtaking in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)
What should vehicle operators do when another vehicle signals overtaking in Vietnam?
According to Clause 4, Article 14 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024:
Overtaking and yielding
...
4. When there is a vehicle requesting to overtake, the driver of the preceding vehicle must observe the road ahead, if it is safe, they should reduce speed, signal right turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind to overtake, and move close to the right side of the road until the vehicle behind has overtaken, not obstructing the overtaking vehicle.
If there is an obstruction or safety conditions are not met, the driver of the preceding vehicle should signal left turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind that overtaking is not allowed.
...
When there is a vehicle requesting to overtake, the driver of the preceding vehicle should:
+ Observe the road ahead
+ If it is safe, reduce speed, signal right turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind to overtake
+ Move close to the right side of the road until the vehicle behind has overtaken, and do not obstruct the overtaking vehicle
+ If there is an obstruction or safety conditions are not met, the driver should signal left turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind that overtaking is not allowed.
What are cases of slowing down when participating road traffic in Vietnam under the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024?
According to Clause 3, Article 12 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, the cases of slowing down when participating road traffic in Vietnam include:
(1) At places with road markings or other signals designated for pedestrians or at places where pedestrians, wheelchair users are crossing the road;
(2) There are danger warning signals or road obstructions;
(3) When changing vehicle direction or limited visibility;
(4) At level crossings with roads, level crossings with railways; narrow roads, curved roads, winding roads, mountain passes, slopes;
(5) At narrow bridges, flood overflow weirs, ford roads, underpasses, tunnels;
(6) In areas with schools, hospitals, bus stations, crowded public works, densely populated areas, markets, road construction sites, scenes of traffic accidents;
(7) When there are animals on the road or grazing near the road;
(8) To avoid oncoming vehicles or when allowing overtaking vehicles behind; when there are road signals or emergency signals from the vehicles ahead moving in the same direction;
(9) At bus stops or parking spots on roads where passengers are getting on or off;
(10) When encountering vehicles transporting oversized, overweight goods, hazardous goods; pedestrian groups;
(11) When encountering priority vehicles;
(12) In weather conditions such as rain, wind, fog, smoke, dust, slippery or muddy roads, with many rocks, scattered materials affecting road traffic safety;
(13) In areas with traffic control being organized.
What are the general rules when participating in road traffic in Vietnam?
According to Article 10 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, the general rules when participating in road traffic in Vietnam that must be followed are:
- Road traffic participants must travel on the right in their direction, use the correct lane or part of the road as designated, comply with road signs and other road traffic rules.
- Drivers and passengers in cars must wear seatbelts in places equipped with seatbelts when participating in road traffic.
- When transporting children under 10 years old and under 1.35 meters tall in cars, they must not sit in the same seat row as the driver, except for cars with only one seat row; the driver must use or instruct the use of appropriate safety devices for children (this regulation comes into effect from January 1, 2026, according to Clause 2, Article 88 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024).
The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 comes into effect in Vietnam on January 1, 2025, and Clause 3, Article 10 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 comes into effect in Vietnam on January 1, 2026.
LawNet