What are penalties for operting vehicles without proof of ownership in Vietnam in 2025?

What are penalties for operting vehicles without proof of ownership in Vietnam in 2025?

According to Clause 3, Clause 7, Article 32 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, regulations concerning fines and points deduction from driver's licenses for vehicle owners violating road traffic regulations are as follows:

Article 32. Fines and Points Deduction from Driver's Licenses for Vehicle Owners Violating Road Traffic Regulations

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3. A fine between 800,000 VND and 1,000,000 VND for individuals, and between 1,600,000 VND and 2,000,000 VND for organizations that own motorcycles, mopeds, and vehicles similar to motorcycles or mopeds, for committing one of the following violations:

a) Failing to complete procedures for vehicle registration and license plate issuance in the event of a change in vehicle ownership as prescribed;

b) Failing to complete procedures for changing vehicle registration and license plates as prescribed;

c) Installing or using audio and lighting equipment on vehicles causing disturbance, road traffic safety issues.

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7. A fine between 4,000,000 VND and 6,000,000 VND for individuals, and between 8,000,000 VND and 12,000,000 VND for organizations that own cars (including trailers and semi-trailers), four-wheeled vehicles with engines, four-wheeled cargo vehicles with engines, specialized motorbikes, and vehicles similar to cars for committing one of the following violations:

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h) Failing to complete procedures for vehicle registration and license plate issuance in the event of a change in vehicle ownership as prescribed;

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19. In addition to administrative fines, individuals and organizations committing violations are subject to the following remedial measures:

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g) For violations as specified in point b of clause 3; point b, point c, point h of clause 7; point d, point dd of clause 8; point a of clause 12 of this Article, individuals and organizations are required to complete the procedures for renewal, revocation, reissuance, or issuance of vehicle registration certificates, license plates, technical safety, and environmental protection inspection certificates according to regulations (except for confiscated vehicles);

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Thus, operting vehicles without proof of ownership can incur administrative fines for failing to complete the required vehicle registration and license plate issuance procedures in the event of a change of vehicle ownership.

For motorcycles: A fine between 800,000 VND and 1,000,000 VND for individuals, and between 1,600,000 VND and 2,000,000 VND for organizations that own motorcycles.

For cars: A fine between 4,000,000 VND and 6,000,000 VND for individuals, and between 8,000,000 VND and 12,000,000 VND for organizations that own cars. Additionally, remedial measures include completing the procedures for renewal, revocation, reissuance, or issuance of vehicle registration certificates, license plates, technical safety, and environmental protection inspection certificates according to regulations (except for confiscated vehicles).

What are penalties for operting vehicles without proof of ownership in Vietnam in 2025? (Image from the Internet)

Can the vehicle owner in Vietnam keep the license plate number when selling the vehicle?

Article 36 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 stipulates the regulations about license plates as follows:

Article 36. License Plates

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3. License plates are managed according to identifier codes, except for license plates specified at point b, clause 2 of this Article. Management of license plates by identifier codes is prescribed as follows:

a) License plates are issued and managed according to the identifier codes of individual or organizational vehicle owners; if the organization lacks an identifier code, management is based on tax codes, establishment decisions, or equivalent documents;

b) In cases of vehicle expiry, irreparable damages, or transfer of vehicle ownership, owners can retain the license plate for up to 5 years to register for another vehicle owned by them; if this time limit is exceeded, the registration authority will revoke the license plate and include it in the license plate inventory for issuance to other organizations or individuals, except in cases of transfer, exchange, gifting, or inheritance of vehicles with auctioned license plates;

c) If the vehicle owner changes their headquarters, permanent, or temporary residence, they can retain the identified license plate number.

4. The Minister of Public Security prescribes national technical standards for license plates; the Minister of Defense prescribes technical standards for license plates under the management of the Ministry of Defense.

Thus, when selling a vehicle, the owner may retain the license plate for up to 5 years to register it for another vehicle owned by them.

If the period exceeds 5 years, the registration authority will revoke the license plate and include it in the license plate inventory for issuance to other organizations or individuals, except in cases of transfer, exchange, gifting, or inheritance of vehicles with auctioned license plates.

Is the vehicle registration certificate in Vietnam revoked upon sale?

Article 39 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 provides regulations on the issuance and revocation of vehicle registration certificates and license plates for motor vehicles and specialized motorbikes participating in road traffic as follows:

Article 39. Issuance and Revocation of Vehicle Registration Certificates and License Plates for Motor Vehicles and Specialized Motorbikes Participating in Road Traffic

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6. Cases for revoking vehicle registration certificates and license plates include:

a) Transfer of vehicle ownership; in cases of transfer, exchange, gifting, or inheritance of vehicles with auctioned license plates, only the vehicle registration certificate is revoked;

b) Imported vehicles exempt from taxes, or temporarily imported vehicles of foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals that are re-exported, transferred, or destroyed; vehicles exceeding registration period in special economic zones or international border economic zones;

c) Vehicles registered with fraudulent documents or determined by competent authorities as having illegally altered chassis or engine numbers; dismantled vehicles for registration on other vehicles;

d) Motor vehicles that have exceeded the service life, are damaged beyond use;

dd) Vehicles disposed of, lost and cannot be found, and the owner requests revocation of the vehicle registration certificate and license plate;

e) Issuance of registration or license plates does not conform to the law.

Thus, in the case of selling a vehicle, the vehicle registration certificate will be revoked.