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Essential Documents for Driving in Vietnam: Avoid Penalties

LONG

11/02/2025

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Anh Tuan, owner of a grocery store on Chua Boc Street, excitedly drove his brand new Dongfeng truck from the Thaco Truong Hai dealership on Nguyen Van Linh Street early this morning to prepare for a delivery. Upon reaching the intersection of Lang Street, he was pulled over by a traffic officer for a document check. Anh Tuan was horrified to realize he had left his wallet at home, meaning he had no vehicle registration, driver’s license, or other necessary documents.

As a result, Anh Tuan received a violation ticket and his vehicle was impounded. His delivery that day was ruined, not to mention the extra time, effort, and expense required to resolve the violation.

Anh Tuan’s story serves as a valuable lesson for all drivers about the importance of carrying the required documents when operating a vehicle. So, what documents are required for driving in Vietnam? Let’s find out with Xe Tai Ha Noi in this detailed article!

Required Driving Documents in Vietnam: Latest Regulations

According to Decree 100/2019/NĐ-CP, when participating in traffic, drivers in Vietnam must carry the following documents:

1. Driver-Related Documents:

Valid Driver’s License for the Vehicle Type: For example, if you are driving a Hyundai HD120s truck, you need a Class C driver’s license.
Citizen Identity Card or National ID Card: For driver identification verification.

2. Vehicle-Related Documents:

Vehicle Registration Certificate: This is the most important document, proving the origin and legal ownership of the vehicle.
Vehicle Inspection Certificate: This certificate confirms that your vehicle meets the safety requirements for road circulation.
Civil Liability Insurance Certificate: Mandatory by law.
Vehicle Circulation Permit: Required for trucks and commercial transport vehicles.

3. Other Documents (if applicable):

International Driving Permit: Required for driving abroad.
Priority Certificate: Applicable to individuals entitled to priority as prescribed by law.
Documents Related to Transported Goods: For example, a permit for transporting dangerous goods (if applicable).

Note:

All documents must be valid.
You should make certified photocopies of all documents and carry them with you in case the originals are lost.

Penalties for Driving Without Required Documents in Vietnam

Violation	Fine for Cars	Fine for Trucks
Driving without a Driver’s License	From 4 – 6 million VND	From 8 – 12 million VND
Driving without a Vehicle Registration Certificate	From 300,000 – 400,000 VND	From 400,000 – 600,000 VND
Driving without a Vehicle Inspection Certificate	From 1 – 2 million VND	From 2 – 3 million VND
Driving without Civil Liability Insurance	From 300,000 – 500,000 VND	From 400,000 – 700,000 VND

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Are driving documents required within urban areas?

The answer is YES. Regardless of where you are driving, carrying all necessary driving documents is mandatory.

2. Can I receive a ticket for missing documents after the fact?

YES. Traffic surveillance camera systems are now widely installed. If you commit a traffic violation and are recorded by a camera, you will receive a ticket by mail regardless of whether you were stopped by a traffic officer or not.

3. Are certified photocopies of documents acceptable?

According to current regulations, you can still be fined if you only carry certified photocopies of your documents. However, you can explain your situation to the traffic officer for potential leniency.

Choose Xe Tai Ha Noi – “Drive with Confidence, Transport with Peace of Mind”

We hope this article has answered your questions about required driving documents in Vietnam. Being well-informed about traffic laws is crucial for safe driving and avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Traffic police officer inspecting driver's documents in Vietnam.

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