Car Fines: Procedure & Top Fastest Ways to Look Up

Cold penalty is a form of administrative penalty for violations in the field of road traffic, carried out after the violation has occurred for a period of time. This is a common term to distinguish it from "hot fine" (direct penalty at the scene).

The Cedar Rapids study found that “implementation of the automated ticketing system resulted in significant economic benefits, with a 62 percent reduction in injury crashes and a 37 percent reduction in total crashes, resulting in significant savings in medical costs and emergency response resources.”

Some common mistakes include: running red lights, speeding, driving in the wrong lane, stopping and parking in the wrong place, and not obeying traffic signs, etc. If the vehicle owner does not proactively look up the fines, it can lead to additional fines, difficulties with vehicle inspection, legal risks, or affect the rights of the vehicle owner.

Under the new regulations, after recording a violation, the traffic police will verify and send a notice within 10 days. If after 20 days there is no response or the fine has not been paid, the information will be updated to the vehicle inspection system, preventing the vehicle from being inspected until the penalty obligation is completed.

Currently, checking fines is very convenient through online channels such as the VNeTraffic application, the Traffic Police Department website, the local Department of Transport website, the National Public Service Portal or text messages from network operators. Proactively checking helps drivers avoid unnecessary risks and ensure smooth traffic.

What is a Car Fine?

Car fines are a form of handling traffic violations based on images collected from surveillance cameras or recording devices of the authorities. The competent authority will extract data, verify the violation, then send a penalty notice to the vehicle owner.

Cold fines and hot fines are two forms of traffic violation penalties with different mechanisms. Cold fines are based on images from the camera system, while hot fines are made by traffic police directly on the spot.

In 2025, violations that are often subject to fines include: running red or yellow lights; speeding; driving in the wrong lane or on the wrong side of the road; parking or stopping in violation of regulations; overtaking in violation of regulations; and failure to comply with traffic signals and signs.

1. The difference between cold fines and hot fines

Below are some basic criteria to distinguish between the two methods of cold and hot punishment:

2. Violations are often fined

List of common violations recorded through the fine system:

• Running red and yellow lights: The camera system can automatically identify and record vehicles that do not comply with traffic signals.
• Speeding: Major roads often have speed cameras that record images of offending vehicles.
• Driving in the wrong lane or part of the road: This violation often occurs in areas with clearly divided lanes.
• Parking and stopping in violation of regulations: Cameras in inner-city areas can record images of vehicles parked in the wrong location.
• Illegal overtaking: Reckless overtaking and lane encroachment can be detected by overhead cameras.
• Failure to comply with traffic signs or signals: This violation includes entering a prohibited road or failing to comply with the instructions of a traffic sign or signal.

According to a report by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security: “In 2024, there were 23.689 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 10.965 people and injuring 17.567. The use of cold penalties through the surveillance camera system has been promoted to restore traffic discipline.”

Why Do You Need to Check Your Car's Traffic Violations Regularly?

Checking car fines periodically helps vehicle owners avoid double fines, ensure that vehicle inspections are not denied, proactively handle violations to avoid legal risks, protect rights when buying and selling cars and raise awareness of traffic law compliance.

1. Avoid being fined on top of fine for not paying fines on time

If a traffic violation is not promptly handled, the vehicle owner may be subject to enforcement measures such as the temporary confiscation of the vehicle registration or an increase in the fine. This can cause a lot of inconvenience, especially when the vehicle is urgently needed.

2. Ensure that the vehicle is not denied registration

The inspection agencies have the right to refuse to inspect a vehicle if the fine has not been paid. This means that the vehicle cannot legally participate in traffic, affecting the work and life of the vehicle owner.

3. Proactively handle violations to avoid legal risks

Looking up car fines helps detect and handle violations promptly. This avoids being prosecuted when participating in traffic, especially when there are disputes or administrative inspections.

4. Protect your rights when buying, selling, and transferring vehicle ownership

When buying and selling used cars, there are many cases where the vehicle still has violations that have not been handled. Looking up late fines helps buyers avoid legal risks, while ensuring transparency and validity in the name transfer process.

5. Raise awareness of traffic law compliance

Regularly checking for fines not only helps avoid fines but also creates a habit of obeying traffic laws. When vehicle owners voluntarily check and handle violations, they also form a sense of safer driving, contributing to building a civilized traffic culture.

Latest Traffic Police's Procedure for Fines for Traffic Violations

The fine procedure from January 01, 01 includes the steps of verifying violations within 2025 days, sending notices to vehicle owners, handling at the police agency, applying warning measures if the 10-day deadline is overdue, and updating information on the electronic system for people to monitor.

1. Handle within 10 days from the date of discovery of violation

Upon detecting a traffic violation that cannot be stopped for direct handling, the Traffic Police will take the following steps within 10 days:

• Information verification: Collect data on the violating vehicle, vehicle owner or related organization through vehicle registration agency and other data systems.
• Transferring results if not under jurisdiction: If the violation is under the jurisdiction of the Commune, Ward or Town Police but does not occur in that area, the file will be transferred to the local Police where the vehicle owner resides for settlement.
• Send notice to vehicle owner: Traffic police will send a notice requesting vehicle owner or related individual to come to the police headquarters where the violation was detected or the nearest police agency to work.
• Update violation information to the system: Violations will be recorded on the Traffic Police Department's website and the VNeTraffic App, helping people to look up and grasp information promptly.

2. Resolve when vehicle owners, organizations, and individuals come to the police station

Upon receiving the notice, the vehicle owner or related organization must go to the police agency to resolve the matter. The police agency will proceed to handle the matter according to regulations, confirm the violation and instruct on how to pay the fine according to the correct procedure.

After handling the violation, the police agency will take the following steps:

• If the violation is handled by the police at the commune, ward or district level: Notify the police where the violation was discovered of the handling result.
• If the violation is detected and handled by the local police: Send the results to the commune, ward or district police that received the initial documents to ensure transparency.

Violation handling information will also be updated to the system for violators to monitor and fulfill their obligation to pay fines.

3. Handling when the 20-day deadline has passed without any response from the vehicle owner

If after 20 days from the date of sending the notice, the vehicle owner or individual in violation does not come to resolve the matter, the Traffic Police will take the following measures:

• Send a violation warning to the vehicle registration and inspection agency: This may affect the vehicle owner's vehicle inspection process.
• Send a notice to the police at the commune, ward or town level where the vehicle owner resides: The local police are responsible for notifying the violator and reporting the results of the work.

4. Form of transferring results and notification of violation handling

All steps in the violation handling process will be carried out on a digital platform, through electronic methods to quickly connect and share data between relevant agencies. People can easily look up and track the processing progress on the VNeTraffic App.

5 Latest Ways to Check Car Traffic Fines Online

You can check for car fines through the VNeTraffic application, the Traffic Police Department website, the Vietnam Register website, the local Department of Transport website, or fine lookup applications on your phone.

1. Look up traffic fines via VNeTraffic application

VNeTraffic is an application that supports checking traffic violations quickly and accurately on the phone.

Steps to take:

Step 1: Download and install the VNeTraffic application on App Store (iOS) or CH Play (Android).

Step 2: Log in to your account.

If you do not have an account, register by following these steps:

Select register.

• Scan the QR code on the top corner of the CCCD card.
• Check personal information.
• Enter your phone number and click confirm.
• Enter the OTP code sent to your phone and set a password to complete registration.

Step 3: Go to "Violations Lookup" to check for fines.

Step 4: Enter the license plate number and click “Check” to see the results.

2. Look up traffic fines on the Traffic Police Department website

The Traffic Police Department website provides accurate information about violating vehicles.

Steps to take:

• Step 1: Access the Traffic Police Department website at: http://www.csgt.vn
• Step 2: On the main interface, find the section "Look up traffic violations by image".
• Step 3: Enter the license plate number of the vehicle to be checked and select the vehicle type.
• Step 4: Enter the security code displayed on the screen.
• Step 5: Click “Search” to see results.

If there is a violation, the system will display full error information.

If there are no violations, the system will report “No results found”.

3. Look up traffic fines on the website of the Vietnam Register

If the vehicle has unpaid fines, the Vietnam Register may refuse to register. Therefore, checking car fines online on this website helps you proactively handle them before registering.

Steps to take:

Step 1: Visit the website of the Vietnam Register at: www.vr.org.vn

Step 2: Scroll down to the “Motor vehicles for vehicle owners” section in the Data Lookup section.

Step 3: Enter the license plate number and current registration certificate number:

5-digit license plate:

• White plate: Add a “T” at the end.
• Blue Sea: Add an “X” at the end.
• Yellow plate: Add a “V” at the end.
• Stamp and certificate number: Enter in correct format with “-” between letters and numbers.

Step 4: Click “Search” to see results:

• If there are no violations, the vehicle is eligible for inspection.
• If there is a fine, the information will be displayed. If the violation is not handled, the vehicle will be denied registration.

4. Check fines on the local Department of Transport website

Some localities have their own system for checking traffic fines. If you are driving in these areas, you can check on the Department of Transport website.

Steps to take:

Step 1: Visit the website of each locality:

• Hanoi: https://csgt.congan.hanoi.gov.vn/tra-cuu-phuong-tien-gt
• Ho Chi Minh City: http://csgt.catphcm.bocongan.gov.vn/wps/portal/Home/tra-cuu-vi-pham

Step 2: Enter the license plate number of the vehicle to be checked.

Step 3: Click “Search” to see results.

• If the vehicle has a violation, the information will be displayed in full.
• If there is no violation, the system will report “No data”.

5. Use the application to look up traffic fines on your phone

In addition to the above methods, people can download car fine apps on their phones for easy tracking.

Popular applications:

• Look up fines.
• Look up fines nationwide.
• Check fines.
• Kgo - Review driving license, check fines.
• Look up fines for cars and motorbikes.

Steps to take:

• Step 1: Download the fine lookup application from CH Play (Android) or App Store (iOS).
• Step 2: Enter the license plate number of the vehicle to be checked.
• Step 3: Click “Search” to see results.

Note: The search results on the application depend on updated data from the authorities. If you do not see any violations but suspect a fine, try again later or check in another way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic Fines

1. Does the fine apply to cars that are not registered to the owner?

Yes. The cold fine system records violations based on the vehicle's license plate number, regardless of the owner. If buy used cars, buyers should look up fines before transferring ownership.

2. How can I complain if I think the fine was wrong?

The vehicle owner must submit a complaint with evidence to the Traffic Police Department that issued the penalty decision within 10 days of receiving the notice. If there is an error, the penalty decision will be canceled.

3. After paying the fine, how long does it take to remove the warning at the Department of Registration?

Normally, after paying the fine, the system will update the status within 3-5 working days. If urgent, the vehicle owner can go to the Vietnam Register to request a faster update.

4. Are fines for commercial transport vehicles different from those for private vehicles?

Yes. Passenger cars, taxis, and trucks usually have fines 20-50% higher than private vehicles due to their special nature and higher risk of causing accidents.

5. Can I pay fines online?

Yes. Vehicle owners can pay via the National Public Service Portal, e-banking or e-wallets such as MoMo, ViettelPay.

6. Does a traffic fine affect my driving license points?

From 2025, some serious violations such as speeding over 20km/h or running red lights multiple times can lead to points being deducted from the driver's license.

You can refer to the article: Top 10 Common traffic violations with cars & penalties.

7. Which address accepts installation of dash cams or warning devices to avoid fines?

Thanh Phong Auto have service dash cam installation , and traffic warning sensor, helping drivers drive more safely and minimizing traffic violations that lead to fines.

In addition, Thanh Phong Auto also provides car care, maintenance and periodic vehicle inspection services. Items include:

• Check the brake system: Avoid sudden braking and stopping the vehicle improperly.
• Check & adjust vehicle lights: Make sure there are no violations such as not turning on lights at night or not using turn signals when changing lanes.
• Check the tires, suspension system: Helps the vehicle operate smoothly, avoiding the risk of losing control when moving at high speed.
• Check sensor & clean camera: Make sure the device is working properly, avoid blurry recording and data loss.

Contact Thanh Phong Auto now for consultation & installation of genuine dash cams and warning sensors, helping you be safer on every road!