Guidelines for classifying road motor vehicles by purpose of use in Vietnam from January 1, 2025

Guidelines for classification of road motor vehicles by usage purpose effective from January 1, 2025 (Image from the Internet)

On November 15, 2024, the Minister of Transport of Vietnam issued Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT stipulating the classification of road vehicles and identifying signs for motor vehicles using clean, green, and environmentally friendly energy.

Guidelines for classifying road motor vehicles by purpose of use in Vietnam from January 1, 2025

The classification of road vehicles according to usage purpose in Vietnam from January 1, 2025, is stipulated as follows:

(1) Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicles stipulated in Clause 1 Article 34 of the Road Traffic Order, Safety Law include:

- Automobiles classified as follows:

+ Passenger automobiles are types of vehicles designed and equipped primarily for transporting people and carried luggage. Passenger automobiles may tow a trailer. Types of passenger automobiles include:

Passenger automobiles up to 08 seats (excluding the driver’s seat) include the types specified in Appendix I issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

Passenger automobiles over 08 seats (excluding the driver’s seat) include types specified in Appendix II issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

Specialized passenger automobiles are those with features differing from those of standard passenger automobiles, designed and equipped for carrying people under special conditions or unique arrangements, including types specified in Appendix III issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Cargo automobiles are vehicles designed and equipped primarily for transporting goods. Cargo automobiles may have a maximum of two rows of seats and carry up to 06 people including the driver in the cabin. Cargo automobiles may also tow a trailer. Types of cargo automobiles include:

Standard trucks include types specified in Appendix IV issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

Specialized trucks include cargo vehicles with structure and equipment designed for transporting goods that require special arrangements, including types specified in Appendix V issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Specialized automobiles are vehicles with structure and equipment designed to perform a special function or service differing from those named in points a and b of this clause. Specialized automobiles include types specified in Appendix VI issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Tractor trucks are vehicles designed to haul semi-trailers with equipment including: fifth-wheel coupling; connection and control of the signal and brake systems of semi-trailers; may be equipped with cranes, generators, tow coupling, and hook coupling to tow trailers;

+ Trailer trucks are vehicles specially designed primarily for towing trailers with equipment including: tow coupling, hook coupling; loading bay or bed; connection and control of the signal and brake systems of trailers;

Trailer trucks do not include: cargo vehicles equipped with tow coupling; tractor trucks additionally equipped with tow coupling.

- Trailers are classified according to the regulation in Appendix VII issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT.

- Semi-trailers are classified according to the regulation in Appendix VIII issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT.

- Four-wheel motorized passenger vehicles are classified as follows:

+ Four-wheel motorized passenger vehicles participating in public traffic are designed to operate on public roads;

+ Four-wheel motorized passenger vehicles operating on dedicated roads are designed only to operate on dedicated roads, internal roads.

- Four-wheel motorized cargo vehicles.

- Motorcycles are classified as follows:

+ Two-wheeled motorcycles;

+ Three-wheeled passenger motorcycles;

+ Three-wheeled cargo motorcycles;

+ Three-wheeled motorcycles for people with disabilities.

- Mopeds are classified as follows:

+ Two-wheeled mopeds;

+ Three-wheeled passenger mopeds;

+ Three-wheeled cargo mopeds;

+ Three-wheeled mopeds for people with disabilities.

(2) Special-purpose Vehicles

Special-purpose vehicles are classified as follows:

- Construction machinery vehicles are classified according to the regulation in Appendix IX issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Agricultural and forestry machinery vehicles are special vehicles serving only in agriculture and forestry;

- Tractors;

- Trailers, semi-trailers towed by tractors: Trailers, semi-trailers designed and manufactured only for towing by tractors;

- Vehicles performing special functions are classified according to the regulation in Appendix X issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Specialized vehicles used for defense and security purposes participating in road traffic.

(3) Non-Motorized Vehicles

Non-motorized vehicles include those outlined in Clause 2 Article 34 of the Road Traffic Order, Safety Law.

More details can be found in Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT effective from January 1, 2025.

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