Can You Change Your Motorcycle License Plate in Vietnam?

“A license plate is like a person’s destiny,” my neighbor often says whenever he sees me with my bike. It sounds spiritual, but there’s some truth to it. Everyone wants a beautiful, memorable, even a “quad” or “quint” license plate for prestige. But life isn’t a dream; you use the plate you get. Changing it isn’t easy. So, can you actually change your motorcycle license plate in Vietnam? Let’s explore with XE TẢI HÀ NỘI!

Changing Your Motorcycle License Plate: Allowed or Not?

According to current traffic laws, changing your motorcycle license plate is permitted in specific circumstances.

When Can You Change Your Motorcycle License Plate?

1. Damaged or Illegible License Plate: We’ve all seen older motorcycles with peeling, faded, or hard-to-read plates. In this case, you can absolutely apply for a new one.
2. Stolen or Confiscated Motorcycle: In this situation, you’ll need to follow procedures to obtain a new license plate.
3. Change of Residence or Ownership: When buying a used motorcycle or moving to a new area, you must change the license plate.
4. Upgrading from a 3-digit to a 4-digit License Plate: This applies to those who own motorcycles with 3-digit plates.

What About Changing Your License Plate at Will?

Many people want to change their motorcycle license plates for reasons of feng shui or spirituality. For instance, a friend of mine, after receiving a plate with the number “49” (considered unlucky in Vietnamese culture), quickly traded his bike for another. So, does the law allow changing license plates based on personal preference?

The answer is NO. Currently, there are no regulations allowing vehicle owners to change license plates at will.

Changing License Plates When Buying a Used Motorcycle

Buying and selling used motorcycles is common, leading to the need for license plate changes. Here’s the process for changing a license plate when buying a used motorcycle:

1. Prepare Documents: Vehicle registration, ID card/Citizen ID, documents proving the origin of the vehicle (sales contract, inheritance papers, etc.).
2. Submit Documents to the Police Authority: You need to bring the motorcycle and documents to the police authority in your area of residence.
3. Pay the Fee: The fee for changing a motorcycle license plate is specifically regulated.
4. Receive the New License Plate: After completing the procedures, you will receive a new license plate for the motorcycle.

Important Notes When Changing Your Motorcycle License Plate

• Ensure your motorcycle meets the requirements for a license plate change.
• Prepare all necessary documents as regulated.
• Contact the authorities for specific guidance.

Modifying Motorcycle License Plates: A Violation of the Law

Many people seek out services to modify or counterfeit license plates to get desirable numbers. This is a violation of the law and can result in severe penalties.

Conclusion

Whether you can change your motorcycle license plate depends on specific circumstances as defined by law. Be a responsible citizen, abide by traffic laws, and avoid illegal activities like using license plate embossing machines.

For assistance, contact us at Phone: 0968239999, Email: [email protected] or visit us at: TT36 – CN9 Road, Tu Liem Industrial Zone, Phuong Canh Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer service team.