Vietnam: Some notes on modification of road motor vehicles

Modification of motor vehicles means changes are made to structures, shapes, arrangements, working principles, parameters, technical specifications of part or whole of the system of a motor vehicle.

In case the system, parts are replaced with another system, parts of the same type and manufacturer (the same spare part code), this shall not be called as modification. (Clause 4 Article 3 of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT)

According to Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, some notes on modification of road motor vehicles are as follows:

- Do not modify purposes of use (uses) with respect to motor vehicles that have been put in use for more than 15 years from the year of manufacture to the time of design appraisal.

- Do not modify to other kinds any imported dedicated motor vehicle and imported refrigerated truck that have been put into use for five years and three years respectively since the first registration date.

- Do not modify bodywork of imported brand new trucks that have been put into use for six months from the first assessment of technical safety and environmental protection to the time of design appraisal (except modification into dual-control cars or installation of roof on open trucks).

- Do not modify motor vehicles to passenger vehicles and vice versa except to modify passenger vehicles from 16 seats and under (including driver seat) to van trucks.

- Do not modify the suspension system of motor vehicles.

- Do not modify brake system of motor vehicles except:

+ Install auxiliary brake pedal on dual-control cars and vice versa;

+ Carry out modifications to provide energy and control brake system of trailers, semi-trailers;

- Do not modify the steering system of motor vehicles except imported right-hand drive cars;.

- Do not install sleepers of two-floor types on passenger cars.

- Do not expand size of cargo compartment of passenger cars.

- Do not modify tractors to motor vehicles of other kinds (except specialized vehicles).

- …

View details at Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, effective from March 10, 2015.

- Thuy Phu -

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