Necessary Documents When Driving a Car

- Necessary Documents When Driving a Car
Latest update date: February 17, 01

Paperwork are documents that record and certify information on materials such as paper, plastic, or electronic form.

When driving a car, carrying all necessary documents is one of the mandatory and extremely important requirements (Road Traffic Law No. 23/2008/QH12 stipulates). Not only does it ensure legality and safety when participating in traffic, but it also demonstrates the driver's awareness of obeying the law, making it easy to handle unexpected incidents.

According to statistics from the Traffic Police Department, in 2022, there were up to 15.678 cases of fines for not carrying complete vehicle documents, significantly affecting the rights of vehicle owners, especially in the event of an accident or legal dispute.

Necessary vehicle documents to carry when driving a car include: driver's license, vehicle registration, civil liability insurance certificate, technical safety inspection and environmental protection certificate. In 2024, some regulations on vehicle documents will change, including electronic documents and the validity period of vehicle documents.

During the process of participating in traffic, the competent state agency is allowed to check the vehicle documents in certain cases even if it is not a violation of the law. If you do not have the documents, you may be subject to administrative penalties depending on the level of violation.

Learn more about Necessary documents when driving a car through the next post!

Necessary documents when driving a car
Necessary documents when driving a car

Overview of Required Vehicle Documents

Car documents play an important role in ensuring traffic safety and compliance with the law. Road Traffic Law No. 23/2008/QH12 clearly stipulates the carrying of documents when driving. Accordingly, all drivers on the road must carry all required documents.

The importance of having complete documentation is reflected in three main aspects:

  • Obey the law: Avoid administrative penalties.
  • Road safety: Ensure drivers are competent and vehicles meet technical standards.
  • Troubleshooting: Convenient in case of accidents or disputes.

The subject of application includes all car drivers, regardless of purpose of use (personal, transport business) or vehicle type (car, truck, passenger).

Detailed List of Required Documents When Driving a Car

Required documents when driving a car include a driver's license, vehicle registration, civil liability insurance certificate, and technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate.

1. Driving license

A driving license is a certificate certifying that an individual is qualified to drive a motor vehicle on the road. In Vietnam, there are 11 driving license classes, from A1 to FE. For cars, the common classes include:

  • B1: Passenger cars with up to 9 seats; trucks under 3.500 kg.
  • B2: Passenger cars with up to 9 seats; trucks from 3.500 kg or more.
  • C: Trucks, including special purpose trucks.
  • D: Passenger car with 10 to 30 seats.
  • E: Passenger car with more than 30 seats.

Validity period of driving license:

  • Grade A1, A2, A3: Unlimited.
  • Class B1, B2: 10 years.
  • Class C, D, E: 5 years.

To renew your driver's license, you need to submit an application to the licensing authority at least 30 days before it expires.

Car driving license
Car driving license

2. Vehicle registration

A vehicle registration is a document confirming ownership of a vehicle. Information on the vehicle registration includes:

  • Vehicle owner information: Full name, address.
  • Vehicle information: Brand, model number, paint color, engine number, chassis number.
  • Registration number.
  • Date of issue and issuing authority.

Regulations on license plates:

  • Regular license plate: White background, black letters and numbers.
  • Yellow background license plate: For vehicles used for transportation business.
  • Diplomatic license plate: White background, red letters and numbers.
Car registration
Car registration

3. Certificate of civil liability insurance

Compulsory civil liability insurance for motor vehicle owners is stipulated in Decree 03/2021/ND-CP. Insurance coverage includes:

  • Damage to body and life.
  • Property damage to third parties.

The normal insurance period is 1 year. To renew, the vehicle owner must contact the insurance company at least 30 days before the expiration date.

4. Certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection

This certificate confirms that the vehicle meets technical and environmental standards. Inspection cycle:

  • Personal cars under 9 seats: 30 months/time for the first 7 years, then 18 months/time.
  • Commercial transport vehicles: every 6 months (passenger vehicles), every 12 months (trucks).

Inspection standards include:

  • Brake system.
  • Steering system.
  • Exhaust gas.
  • Noise level.
  • Light.

Latest Regulations on Car Documents in 2024

The year 2024 marks some important changes in the regulations on car documents in Vietnam regarding electronic documents and validity period. The revised Road Traffic Law has been passed by the National Assembly, bringing many significant improvements.

1. Regulations on electronic documents

From September 15, 9, people can use VNeID to replace some vehicle documents when traffic police check, such as driver's license and vehicle registration. Information on vehicle registration, insurance and inspection will be integrated into a national database, making it easier to look up and verify.

Electronic documents have the same legal value as paper documents when they meet the prescribed conditions.

When you need to present your driver's license, simply open the VneID app and select "Driver's license". The system will display full information about your driver's license on your phone screen. You can present this electronic driver's license to the authorities by showing it directly on your phone screen or printing it out for use.

Update vehicle registration information on VNeID application
Update vehicle registration information on VNeID application

2. Update on the validity period of documents

The validity of class B1 and B2 driving licenses is increased from 10 years to 12 years. At the same time, personal vehicles with less than 9 seats manufactured within 5 years are exempt from the first inspection.

The time between inspections has been extended for some vehicles, helping to reduce the burden on vehicle owners and regulators.

Can I Stop Checking Vehicle Documents If I Do Not Violate Traffic Safety Laws?

Yes. Since September 15, 9, Circular 2023/32/TT-BCA has officially taken effect, clearly stipulating the cases in which traffic police are allowed to stop vehicles for inspection. Accordingly, in addition to directly detecting violations or through technical equipment, traffic police are also allowed to stop vehicles in the following cases:

  • Implementing orders and plans for total traffic control.
  • There is a plan to patrol, control and handle violations by topic.
  • Execute the order according to the written request of the investigation agency.
  • Receive reports and reflections on traffic law violations.

Thus, in some cases, traffic participants may be stopped by traffic police for inspection even though they have not committed any violations. However, in order to impose a fine, traffic police must still prove the specific violation.

Are There Any Penalties For Not Carrying Necessary Vehicle Documents While Driving?

The Government has issued Point c, Clause 8, Article 18 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP stipulating the administrative penalties for violations related to car documents as follows:

1. Error of forgetting to bring vehicle registration

Pursuant to Point c, Clause 8, Article 18, Decree 168/2024/ND-CPDrivers of cars, tractors and similar vehicles who do not carry vehicle registration papers will be fined from VND 300.000 to VND 400.000.

2. Error of not carrying a driver's license

Pursuant to Point a, Clause 3, Article 18 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, drivers of cars without a driver's license will be fined from 300.000 - 400.000 VND.

3. Error of not carrying vehicle insurance certificate

Pursuant to Point b, Clause 4, Article 18 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, if a car driver does not carry a valid Certificate of Civil Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicles, he/she will be fined from 400.000 to 600.000 VND.

According to a report from the Vietnam Insurance Association, the rate of people participating in compulsory motor vehicle insurance has increased from 85% in 2019 to 91% in 2021. However, there are still some people who are not aware of the importance of purchasing insurance and carrying a certificate when driving.

Penalty for not carrying car registration
Penalty for not carrying car registration

Questions About Necessary Documents When Driving a Car

1. How long does it take to register a newly purchased car?

New car owners must register their vehicles within 30 days of receiving the vehicle. After this deadline, the owner will be subject to an administrative fine of VND 2.000.000 to VND 3.000.000.

2. How long is the technical safety inspection cycle for personal cars?

According to current regulations, the time limit 7 seater personal car registration as follows:

  • Vehicles used up to 30 months: First inspection, then periodic inspection every 36 months.
  • Vehicles used for 30 months to 10 years: Periodic inspection every 24 months.
  • Vehicles used for over 10 years: Periodic inspection every 12 months.

3. What documents do foreigners need to drive cars in Vietnam?

Foreigners who want to drive cars in Vietnam need the following documents:

  • Passport valid for stay in Vietnam.
  • Valid international driving license or driving license issued by a competent authority of Vietnam.
  • Vehicle registration certificate and vehicle technical safety inspection certificate (if required to be inspected).

4. When vehicle registration is lost, what should the vehicle owner do to get it reissued?

When vehicle registration is lost, the vehicle owner needs to take the following steps:

  • Report and request confirmation from the police about the loss of documents.
  • Prepare re-issuance application documents, including: re-issuance application, identification documents, police loss certificate, re-issuance fee.
  • Submit the application to the competent authority (Department of Transport for driving license, Vietnam Register for vehicle registration and inspection certificate, etc.).
  • Receive new documents after the prescribed processing time.

5. What are the benefits of applying digital technology in vehicle document management?

Applying digital technology in vehicle document management brings many benefits, such as:

  • Convenient for storing, retrieving and using vehicle documents, minimizing the risk of loss and damage.
  • Save time and costs of printing and issuing new documents.
  • Enhance transparency, accuracy and information security.
  • Contribute to modernizing traffic management and improving the effectiveness of handling violations.

6. Do electric cars need to be registered and inspected like regular cars?

Electric cars must still comply with registration and inspection regulations like cars using traditional fuel. Specifically:

  • Electric cars must be registered with the registration authority, issued with license plates and vehicle registration certificates.
  • Electric cars must be periodically inspected for technical safety according to regulations, with the same inspection cycle as regular cars, depending on the vehicle's time of use.

7. Do car drivers need to bring original documents or are notarized copies also accepted?

When driving a car, the driver must carry the original vehicle documents such as driver's license, vehicle registration, inspection certificate, and civil liability insurance certificate. Notarized copies of these documents are usually not accepted when being inspected.

However, drivers can use notarized copies or scanned copies of documents in certain necessary cases, such as when providing them to authorities to verify information.

8. Can I use someone else's car registration to drive a vehicle?

No. Car registration is tied to the owner and the specific vehicle. Using someone else's registration to drive a vehicle is a violation of the law and may result in administrative or criminal penalties depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Drivers are only allowed to use their own legal vehicle documents and the vehicle they are authorized to drive.

9. Where can I get quality, reputable car repair?

Thanh Phong Auto proud to be one of the prestigious auto garages in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in providing high quality auto repair, maintenance and care services.

With a team of experienced technicians, modern equipment and professional working process, Thanh Phong Auto is committed to bringing customers absolute satisfaction.

- Necessary Documents When Driving a Car
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With many years of experience in the industry, Thanh Phong Auto is confident to bring customers the best service and absolute satisfaction. Contact us for more specific advice!

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