What is an identification license plate according to the law in Vietnam? Are vehicles with 3 or 4-digit license plates required to change to identification license plates in Vietnam?

Hello, Lawnet would like to respond as follows:

1. What is an identification license plate according to the law in Vietnam?

According to Clause 3, Article 3 Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA regarding identification license plates:

- The identification license plate can be understood as the vehicle registration plate issued and managed according to the identification code of the vehicle owner. The identification license plate must ensure that it has the serial number, plate size, and color specified in Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA regarding vehicle registration.

The management of the identification license plates based on the identification code for each subject is as follows:

- For vehicle owners who are Vietnamese citizens, the vehicle plates are managed according to the individual's identification number.

- For vehicle owners who are foreigners, the vehicle plates are managed according to the alien identification number established by the electronic identification and authentication system or the permanent residence card number, temporary residence card number, or other identity document number issued by a competent authority.

- For vehicle owners that are organizations, the vehicle plates are managed according to the electronic identification code of the organization established by the electronic identification and authentication system; if there is no electronic identification code for the organization, it is managed according to the tax code or the establishment decision.

Thus, the identification license plates are still issued as before. However, according to Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA issued by the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, the management approach differs. Previously, the plates were tied to the vehicle. Under the new regulations, the plates are tied to the individual, meaning the plates will follow the person, not the vehicle.

2. Are vehicles with 3 or 4-digit license plates required to change to identification license plates in Vietnam?

According to Article 39 of Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA on transitional provisions:

- For vehicles registered with 5-digit plates before the effective date of this Circular but have not yet completed the withdrawal procedure, those plate numbers are identified as the vehicle owner’s identification license plate.

- For vehicles registered with 5-digit plates, if the owner completed the withdrawal procedures before the effective date of Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA, those plate numbers will be moved to the plate storage for issuance under the regulations.

- For vehicles registered with 5-digit plates marked “LD”, “DA”, “MD”, “R”, they will continue to be allowed to circulate, including when renewing or reissuing plates, except if the owner wishes to change to plates regulated by Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA.

- For vehicles registered with 3 or 4-digit plates, they will continue to be allowed to circulate unless the owner wishes to change to identification license plates or when the owner conducts procedures for renewing the vehicle registration certificate, renewing the vehicle plates, reissuing the vehicle registration certificate, reissuing the vehicle plates, or registering name transfers, moving vehicles according to the provisions of Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA, then the 3 or 4-digit plates will be withdrawn and replaced with identification license plates as regulated.

- For commune-level police assigned to register motorbikes before the effective date of this Circular, they will continue to register vehicles according to the regulations in Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA.

- The vehicle registration certificate form issued with Circular 58/2020/TT-BCA by the Minister of Public Security and car plates, trailers, semi-trailers, motorbike 5-digit plates produced before the effective date of this Circular will continue to be used until fully exhausted.

Thus, for vehicles with 3-digit or 4-digit plates, it is not mandatory to switch to identification license plates, and the owners can continue to use these plates for circulation. If the vehicle owner wishes to switch to identification license plates, they must withdraw the 3-digit or 4-digit plates and replace them with identification license plates as regulated.

Moreover, for vehicles registered with 5-digit plates before August 15, 2023, but without completing the withdrawal procedures, those plate numbers are identified as the vehicle owner’s identification license plate.

Respectfully!

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