In Vietnam, how much is the fine for passenger cars carrying more than the number of passengers specified in Decree 168?

In Vietnam, how much is the fine for passenger cars carrying more than the number of passengers specified in Decree 168?

Under Clauses 2 and 4, Article 20 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP on penalties and point deductions from driver's licenses of operators of passenger cars, buses, and similar vehicles committing violations against the traffic safety regulations:

Penalties and point deductions from driver's licenses of operators of passenger cars, buses, and similar vehicles committing violations against the traffic safety regulations

1. A fine ranging from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND for violations such as not instructing passengers to stand, lay, or sit in the correct positions as regulated inside the vehicle.

2. A fine ranging from 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND for each person exceeding the vehicle's permitted capacity; however, the total fine shall not exceed 75,000,000 VND for operators of passenger cars (excluding buses) engaging in the violation of carrying more passengers than allowed, except for violations prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.

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4. A fine ranging from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND for each person exceeding the vehicle's permitted capacity; however, the total fine shall not exceed 75,000,000 VND for operators of passenger cars (engaged in regular passenger transport businesses or contracts) on routes longer than 300 km engaging in the violation of carrying more passengers than allowed.

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Thus, the fine for passenger cars carrying more than the number of passengers specified in Decree 168 varies depending on the severity of the violation:

- For passenger cars (excluding buses), a fine of 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND per additional person shall apply, with a total maximum fine not exceeding 75,000,000 VND.

- For passenger cars (involved in regular passenger transport business or contracts) on routes longer than 300 km, a fine of 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND per additional person shall apply, with a total maximum fine not exceeding 75,000,000 VND.

In Vietnam, how much is the fine for passenger cars carrying more than the number of passengers specified in Decree 168? (Image from the Internet)

Are students eligible for reduction in passenger car fares when returning home for Tet?

According to the regulations outlined in Article 10 of Decree 84/2020/ND-CP:

Exemption and reduction of public service fees for learners and students

1. In case of public transport services:

a) Students shall benefit from reduction in train and bus fares;

b) Public transport service providers shall issue discount tickets for students when they provide student ID cards.

2. In case of public services regarding recreation, museums, historical heritages and cultural structures:

a) Students shall benefit from reduction in ticket price when they directly utilize services of: Museums, historical heritages, libraries, and exhibitions;

b) Cultural and recreational service providers shall issue discount tickets for students when they provide student ID cards.

3. Based on specific conditions, People’s Committees of provinces shall decide on reduction and exemption of ticket prices for public services for students under their management.

4. Students who are disabled and handicapped persons shall benefit from reduction and exemption in ticket prices for public services in terms of transport, recreation, visit of museums, historical heritages and cultural structures as specified under Decree No. 28/2012/ND-CP dated April 10, 2012 of Government on elaborating to Law on Persons with disabilities.

Students who are beneficiaries of social policies shall benefit from reduction and exemption from railway fare as specified under Decree No. 65/2018/ND-CP dated May 12, 2018 of Government on elaborating to Law on Railway Transport.

Furthermore, students suffering from a severe disability are entitled to exemption from and reduction of fares and transport service charges according to Article 12 of Decree 28/2012/ND-CP, specifically:

Exemption from and reduction of fares and transport service charges

1. People suffering from particularly serious impairments and people suffering from serious impairments are exempt from fares or service charges when using bus.

2. People suffering from particularly serious impairments and people suffering from serious impairments are eligible for reduction of fares and service charges when using the following means of transport on domestic routes:

a/A reduction of at least 15% for air ticket;

b/ A reduction of at least 25% of fares for train, tram, ship and coach services on fixed routes.

3. Public transport service providers shall issue discount tickets for the disabled. The disabled must present impairment certificates to enjoy such exemption or reduction.

Currently, no document explicitly mandates a reduction in passenger car fares for students returning home for Tet. Whether reductions in fares are available will depend on each auto business and specific routes.

Auto businesses or stations often have promotional policies to offer reduced fares to students during Tet to help them return home for the festivities. The reduction can range from 10% to 50%, depending on various conditions and individual transport company policies.

Will students in Vietnam face penalties under Decree 168?

According to Article 2 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, penalties under Decree 168 shall be imposed on Vietnamese individuals and organizations; foreign individuals and organizations involved in administrative violations regarding road traffic order and safety within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Penalties under Decree 168 shall be imposed on the following entities:

- State agencies with violations not falling under their assigned governmental management duties;

- Public service providers;

- Socio-political organizations, socio-political professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations;

- Economic organizations established under the provisions of the Enterprise Law 2020, including private enterprises, joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, partnership companies, and dependent units of enterprises (branches, representative offices);

- Economic organizations established under the provisions of the Cooperative Law 2023, including artels, cooperatives, and cooperative unions;

- Driver training facilities, driver testing centers, vehicle registration centers for motor vehicles, specialized vehicles, testing facilities, manufacturing, assembling, importing, warranty, and maintenance facilities for motor vehicles, specialized vehicles;

- Other organizations established under the provisions of the law;

- Foreign agencies and organizations permitted by competent Vietnamese authorities to operate within the territory of Vietnam.

Thus, students are still subject to penalties under Decree 168/2024/ND-CP if they commit violations of road traffic laws.