Vietnam: Classification of motor vehicles by purpose of use from January 1, 2025

Vietnam: Classification of motor vehicles by purpose of use from January 1, 2025​ (Image from internet)

On January 01, 2025, the Minister of Transport of Vietnam issued Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT stipulating the classification of road vehicles and the characteristics for identifying motor vehicles using clean energy, green energy, and environmentally friendly measures.

Vietnam: Classification of motor vehicles by purpose of use from January 1, 2025

Motor vehicles as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 34 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 include:

(1) Automobiles are classified as follows:

- Passenger cars are vehicles primarily designed and equipped for carrying people and accompanying luggage. Passenger cars may tow a trailer. Types of passenger cars include:

+ Passenger cars with up to 08 seats (excluding the driver's seat), as specified in Appendix I issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Passenger cars with more than 08 seats (excluding the driver's seat), as specified in Appendix II issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Special-use passenger cars have features different from the aforementioned passenger cars, designed and equipped to carry people under special conditions or arrangements, as specified in Appendix III issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Cargo vehicles are vehicles primarily designed and equipped to carry goods. Cargo vehicles can have up to two rows of seats and carry no more than 06 people, including the driver, in the cabin. Cargo vehicles may tow a trailer. Types of cargo vehicles include:

+ Standard freight vehicles, as specified in Appendix IV issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Specialized freight vehicles, designed and equipped to transport goods requiring special arrangements, as specified in Appendix V issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Special-use vehicles are vehicles designed and equipped to perform a specific function or application different from the aforementioned vehicles. Special-use vehicles include the types specified in Appendix VI issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Tractor units are vehicles designed to tow semi-trailers and equipped with devices such as fifth-wheel coupling; connection and control devices for the signaling and braking systems of the semi-trailer; possibly equipped with a crane, generator, tow coupling, or hook coupling to tow a trailer;

- Trailer towing vehicles are designed specifically or primarily to tow trailers and are equipped with devices such as tow coupling, hook coupling; loading platforms; connection and control devices for the signaling and braking systems of the trailer;

Trailer towing vehicles do not include: cargo vehicles equipped with tow coupling; tractor units equipped with additional towing devices.

(2) Trailers are classified according to Appendix VII issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT.

(3) Semi-trailers are classified according to Appendix VIII issued with Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT.

(4) Four-wheeled motor vehicles for carrying people are classified as follows:

- Four-wheeled motor vehicles engaged in public traffic are designed to operate on public roads;

- Four-wheeled motor vehicles for specialized or internal roads are designed only for operation on specific or internal roads.

(5) Four-wheeled motor vehicles for carrying goods.

(6) Motorcycles are classified as follows:

- Two-wheeled motorcycles;

- Three-wheeled motorcycles for carrying people;

- Three-wheeled motorcycles for carrying goods;

- Three-wheeled motorcycles for persons with disabilities.

(7) Mopeds are classified as follows:

- Two-wheeled mopeds;

- Three-wheeled mopeds for carrying people;

- Three-wheeled mopeds for carrying goods;

- Three-wheeled mopeds for persons with disabilities.

(Article 4 of Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT)

Refer to detailed content at Circular 53/2024/TT-BGTVT (effective from January 01, 2025).

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