Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle from Another Province in Vietnam

My friend Tuan, who lives in Tay Ho district, Hanoi, recently bought a used Hyundai HD120S truck at a great price from an acquaintance in Thai Binh province. The truck is in excellent condition with complete paperwork, but the ownership transfer process is a bit complicated because it has an “out-of-province” license plate. Hearing him complain reminded me of the saying “a good deal is a good deal,” and I advised him to thoroughly research the procedures and costs to avoid further trouble. So, he asked me, someone with years of experience in the trucking industry, for advice.

In reality, transferring the ownership of a vehicle from another province is not as complicated as many people think, as long as you understand the process and prepare all the necessary documents.

What is an Out-of-Province Vehicle Ownership Transfer?

Transferring ownership of an out-of-province vehicle is a mandatory procedure when the vehicle owner, whether an individual or an organization, wants to transfer the ownership rights to someone else who has a permanent residence in a different province or city from where the vehicle was originally registered.

Why Transfer Ownership When Buying a Vehicle from Another Province?

Transferring ownership when buying a vehicle from another province is crucial to ensure your rights when participating in traffic and when buying, selling, or transferring the vehicle later. Failure to transfer ownership can lead to legal trouble, fines, and even vehicle confiscation.

Procedures for Transferring Ownership of an Out-of-Province Vehicle

Step 1: Prepare the Documents

The documents required for transferring ownership of an out-of-province vehicle include:

• Original vehicle registration certificate.
• Original vehicle inspection certificate.
• Photocopy of the seller’s and buyer’s ID card/Citizen ID card/Passport (notarized).
• Documents proving vehicle ownership (sales contract, gift certificate, etc.).
• Vehicle frame and engine number inspection report.
• Registration fee payment certificate.

Step 2: Submit the Documents to the Police Authority at the Buyer’s Place of Residence

The buyer takes the prepared documents to the Traffic Police Department (PC08) of the Provincial/City Police Department where they reside.

Step 3: Document Review and Approval

The police authority will receive the documents and conduct a review. If the documents are valid, you will be given an appointment to receive the results.

Step 4: Receive the Vehicle Registration Certificate

After the documents are approved, you will receive a Vehicle Registration Certificate in your name.

Costs of Transferring Ownership of an Out-of-Province Vehicle

The costs of transferring ownership of an out-of-province vehicle include:

• License plate issuance fee: 2,000,000 VND (for cars).
• Vehicle inspection fee: According to current regulations.
• Road maintenance fee: According to current regulations.
• Registration fee: 2% of the vehicle’s value (for cars).

Note:

• The above fees may vary depending on the regulations of each locality.
• You should consult with experts or vehicle ownership transfer service providers for specific advice.

Hyundai HD120S TruckVehicle Ownership Transfer Documents