Is it Permissible to Modify Motorcycles for Personal Use?

Currently, there is no legal document that specifically defines what vehicle modification ('do xe') is. However, it can be simply understood that vehicle modification involves making changes to the vehicle, making it different from the original version.

According to Clause 2, Article 55 of the 2008 Law on Road Traffic, which regulates the quality assurance of technical safety and environmental protection for motor vehicles participating in road traffic, it states:

Vehicle owners are not allowed to change the structure, assembly, or system of the vehicle in a way that is inconsistent with the manufacturer’s design or the modified design that has been approved by the competent authority.

Additionally, Clause 1, Article 30 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP also stipulates the penalties for vehicle owners who violate the regulations related to road traffic in terms of unauthorized changes in brand, paint color of the vehicle, which do not match the Motorcycle Registration Certificate, motor vehicles, and similar vehicles. The fines range from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND for individuals, and from 200,000 VND to 400,000 VND for organizations that are the vehicle owners.

Moreover, Clause 15 of this Article stipulates that violators must restore the brand and paint color indicated on the Vehicle Registration Certificate as regulated.

Thus, the law does not permit vehicle owners to modify their vehicles arbitrarily, and violators may be fined from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND.

Sincerely!