Vietnam: Is it necessary to carry a motorbike insurance in case a driver only drives a motorbike in the inner city?

Main Content

• What are the conditions for motor vehicles to join in road traffic in Vietnam?
• What are the conditions for drivers of vehicles to join in traffic in Vietnam?
• What are the penalties for driving a motorcycle without carrying a motorcycle insurance in Vietnam?

What are the conditions for motor vehicles to join in road traffic in Vietnam?

According to the provisions of Article 53 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008, the conditions for participating in traffic of motor vehicles are:

Article 53. Conditions for motor vehicles to join in road traffic

1. Automobiles of proper types allowed to join in road traffic must satisfy the following quality, technical safety and environmental protection criteria:

a/ Being equipped with an effective brake system;

b/ Being fitted with an effective steering system;

c/ The steering wheel is on the left side of the automobile; for a foreigner’s overseas-registered automobile with a right-handed steering wheel, to join in road traffic in Vietnam, it must comply with the Government’s regulations;

d/ Being fully equipped with driving and passing lamps, registration plate lamp, stop lamp and signal lamps;

e/ Having the wheels fitted with pneumatic tires of the right size and right technical standards for each type of automobile;

f/ Having sufficient rear-view mirrors and other equipment and devices to ensure the operator’s visibility;

g/ Having the windscreen and windows made of safety glass;

h/ Having a horn of standard volume;

i/ Being fully equipped with an exhaust silencer, an exhaust pipe and other equipment and devices to ensure exhaust gas and noise up to environmental standards;

j/ Their structures are durable enough and ensure stable operation.

2. Motorcycles, three-wheeled motor vehicles and mopeds of right types allowed to join in road traffic must satisfy the quality, technical safely and environmental protection standards prescribed at Points a, b, d , e, f, h, i and j, Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Motor vehicles must have registration papers and number plates, granted by competent state bodies.

4. The Government shall stipulate the use life limits of motor vehicles.

5. The Minister of Transport shall prescribe quality, technical safety and environmental protection standards of motor vehicles permitted to join in road traffic, except for army and police motor vehicles used for defense and security purposes.

What are the conditions for drivers of vehicles to join in traffic in Vietnam?

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 58 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008, the conditions for drivers participating in traffic are:

Article 58. Conditions for drivers of vehicles to join in traffic

1. Drivers of vehicles to join in traffic must be of the age and in good health as prescribed in Article 60 of this Law, and proper driver licenses for the types of vehicle they are permitted to operate, which are granted by competent state agencies.

Learner drivers, when joining in traffic, shall practice driving on driving practice vehicles and have their driving supported by driving instructors.

2. When operating a vehicle, the driver shall carry the following papers:

a/ Vehicle registration paper;

b/ Driver license, for motor vehicle operators defined in Article 59 of this Law;

c/ Technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate, for motor vehicles prescribed in Article 55 of this Law;

d/ Motor vehicle owner civil liability insurance certificate.

What are the penalties for driving a motorcycle without carrying a motorcycle insurance in Vietnam?

According to the provisions at point a, clause 2, article 21 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP (amended by clause 11 Article 2 of Decree 123/2021/ND-CP), the regulations on penalties for driving a motorcycle without carrying a motorcycle insurance are:

"Article 21. Penalties for offences against regulations on qualification for operating motor vehicles

...

2. A fine ranging from VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 shall be imposed upon:

a) Any person operating a motorcycle or moped and the like without carrying an unexpired certificate of civil liability insurance for motor vehicles;

Accordingly, driving a motorcycle without carrying a motorcycle insurance in Vietnam will be fined from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND.

Thus, for your question, in any cases of driving a motorcycle, you still have to fullly carry the vehicle documents, including a motorbike insurance.

Here is some information that Lawnet provides to you. Best regards!