Decoding Red License Plates: Power or Privilege?

“Hey man, with that red plate, is this a government car?” The roadside drink vendor’s question made Mr. Bui Van Minh, owner of the red-plated Toyota Camry 30F – 123.45, chuckle. “This isn’t a government car, kid. I bought this fair and square.”

What are Red Car License Plates?

Unlike the familiar white license plates, red license plates are special plates issued to specific entities. Traditionally, people assume red plates mean “government cars” or “public vehicles,” but is this always the case?

Types of Vehicles Eligible for Red License Plates

According to current regulations, the following types of vehicles are issued red license plates:

• Vietnamese People’s Army vehicles
• Police vehicles
• Vietnam Coast Guard vehicles
• Vehicles of foreign agencies, international organizations operating in Vietnam
• Military vehicles of foreign armies permitted to operate in Vietnam
• Vehicles of projects, construction sites, and non-governmental organizations licensed to operate in Vietnam

The Meaning of Red Car License Plates

Red license plates are more than just vehicle identification; they carry special significance:

• Distinguishing Entities: Red plates easily identify vehicles belonging to the aforementioned agencies and organizations, facilitating management, monitoring, and task enforcement.
• Representing Public Duty: The use of red plates also partially signifies the public duty and service to the common good associated with these vehicles.

Do Red Car License Plates Have Priority?

Many mistakenly believe that red-plated vehicles enjoy special privileges and priority in traffic. However, this is not always the case.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, a traffic expert in Hanoi, explains: “Priority for vehicles, in any situation, is clearly defined in the Law on Road Traffic. Red-plated vehicles are only prioritized when performing emergency duties and are entitled to the priority rights stipulated by law.”

Cases Where Red-Plated Vehicles Have Priority

According to the 2008 Law on Road Traffic, priority vehicles, including red-plated vehicles on emergency duty, have the right to go first when signaling their priority and ensuring safety.

Specifically, priority vehicles have the right to:

• Proceed before vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
• Proceed before vehicles traveling in the same direction.
• Turn right, turn left, or make U-turns in areas where turns and U-turns are prohibited.
• Stop or park in areas with no-stopping or no-parking signs.

Responsibilities of Red-Plated Vehicle Drivers

However, the law also clearly outlines the responsibilities of drivers of priority vehicles when participating in traffic:

• Must have priority signals (siren and lights) and only use them when truly necessary.
• Must comply with regulations on speed and safe following distance.
• When crossing intersections or railway crossings, must reduce speed and pay attention to observation to ensure safety.

Can Private Cars Be Issued Red License Plates?

The answer is NO. Currently, Vietnamese law does not allow individuals to own red-plated cars.

However, you can still own a car with a bold and distinctive red paint color. Explore truck models, light trucks, VAN trucks, 1-ton trucks, 2-ton trucks, 3.5-ton trucks, and 8-ton trucks on the XE TẢI HÀ NỘI website to find your perfect vehicle!

Conclusion

Red car license plates symbolize solemnity and represent the responsibility of serving the community. However, not all red-plated vehicles have absolute priority. Be a civilized traffic participant, comply with the Law on Road Traffic to ensure safety for yourself and everyone.

Want to learn more about other types of license plates? Visit the XE TẢI HÀ NỘI website or contact us via hotline 0968239999 for free consultation!