Driving a Vehicle with Out-of-Province Plates in Vietnam: Legal?

“Sir, is it okay to drive my Saigon-plated car here?” a young man driving a pickup truck asked a roadside cafe owner anxiously. “Don’t worry, son, that law was abolished a long time ago. Feel free to roam around,” the owner chuckled. The young man breathed a sigh of relief. Before his trip, he had heard rumors about driving with out-of-province plates, such as fines and strict inspections, which worried him.

The Significance of the Question: “Is Driving with Out-of-Province Plates Legal?”

This seemingly simple question reflects the concerns of many people when participating in traffic. It reveals a fear of violating traffic laws and a desire to understand the rules to travel with peace of mind throughout the country.

Answer: No More “Vehicle Residency”

The good news is that the regulation regarding “vehicle residency” has been officially abolished. Accordingly, vehicle owners are free to move their vehicles nationwide without being restricted by the place of registration.

This means you can confidently drive your Ho Chi Minh City-plated car on business in Hanoi or enjoy a trip to Da Nang in your Nghe An-plated car without worrying about being fined.

What Does the Law Say?

To completely dispel any doubts, let’s examine the relevant legal regulations:

• The 2008 Road Traffic Law and Decree 100/2019/ND-CP (amended and supplemented in 2022) do not contain any provisions prohibiting or penalizing the act of driving a vehicle with out-of-province plates.
• In reality, current traffic control is based on the vehicle’s license plate, regardless of the place of registration.

Traffic expert Hans Peterson, author of “Modern Traffic Law,” also affirms: “Removing administrative boundaries in vehicle registration and circulation is a common trend in many countries worldwide. This not only facilitates people’s lives but also promotes socio-economic development.”

Cases Where You Can Be Fined Related to License Plates

Although driving with out-of-province plates is not penalized, you can still be fined if you violate regulations regarding license plates, such as:

• Illegible or obscured license plates: Fines range from 400,000 to 600,000 VND.
• Covering or defacing license plates: Fines range from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND.
• Using fake or unauthorized license plates: Fines range from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND.

How to Handle Potential Issues

If a traffic officer stops you and inquires about your out-of-province plates, remain calm, present all vehicle documents, and cooperate with the authorities.

Remember, understanding the law is your “protective amulet” for confident participation in traffic.

Related Questions

• Do I need to complete any procedures when driving a car with out-of-province plates?
• What is the procedure for transferring ownership of a vehicle registered in another province?
• Where can I purchase motorcycle insurance for a vehicle with out-of-province plates?

Related Services

• Car and motorcycle ownership transfer services
• Custom license plate services
• Compulsory civil liability insurance for vehicle owners

Vehicle Document Inspection

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