Do You Need a New License Plate When Replacing Vehicle Documents?

Mr. Ba, a kind and simple farmer, has been attached to his rickety truck for 30 years. Countless deliveries and years of hard work are etched onto the truck like a loyal companion. Now, with the vehicle documents worn and faded, Mr. Ba wants to replace them, but he’s heard rumors that “replacing documents means changing the license plate.” This unsettling rumor has the whole village buzzing with speculation. Is it true?

Replacing Vehicle Documents: When Is It Necessary and Do You Have to Change Your License Plate?

The Importance of Replacing Vehicle Documents

Vehicle documents are the “birth certificate” of every vehicle, serving as legal proof of ownership. Replacing them is necessary in the following cases:

• Damaged or deteriorated documents: Due to time, weather, or poor storage, vehicle documents may become faded, torn, or unusable.
• Lost documents: Due to carelessness or unforeseen circumstances, you may lose your vehicle documents.
• Changes in information on the documents: When the vehicle owner changes, or the residential address changes, you need to update the information on the vehicle documents.

Does Replacing Vehicle Documents Require a License Plate Change?

The answer is NO. According to current regulations, replacing vehicle documents does not mean you have to change your license plate. License plates are only changed in specific cases such as:

• The owner wants a new license plate: For example, to obtain a lucky number plate or a feng shui plate.
• The vehicle is severely damaged: Beyond repair, requiring replacement of the frame or chassis.
• Transfer of vehicle ownership to a different province/city: For example, a vehicle registered in Hanoi is transferred to an owner in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Ba and his old truckLucky license plate