Vietnam Register warns of stricter compliance standards for vehicle inspections
Stricter vehicle inspection standards under Decree 166 could lead to an increase in refusals starting January 2, as many vehicles fail to meet the updated requirements.
The implementation of Decree 166 and Circular 47, effective January 1, 2025, introduces stricter guidelines for vehicle inspections, leading to potential challenges for vehicle owners.
According to the Vietnam Register, many vehicles may face rejection due to non-compliance when inspection centers reopen on January 2 after the New Year holiday.
The updated regulations specify procedures for first-time inspection exemptions for motor vehicles and special-use machines, as well as protocols for inspecting modified vehicles and testing emissions for motorcycles and motorbikes.
Vehicles found to have unresolved administrative violations related to traffic safety or those under legal investigation may be denied inspection.
Additionally, falsified documentation, discrepancies between the registration certificate and the vehicle’s actual condition, unregistered modifications, or unauthorized changes in specifications or appearance are grounds for refusal.
Representatives from the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam have raised concerns about the widespread implications of these new rules.
Common issues include unaddressed traffic violations, modified vehicles without updated registrations, mismatches in vehicle color compared to registration details, and vehicles with commercial use license plates that lack proper documentation.
The Vietnam Register emphasized that these stricter measures aim to enforce legal compliance and ensure consistency between vehicle registration and inspection records.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to improve vehicle management and enhance road safety standards.
To address challenges related to modified vehicles, Circular 47 now allows certified inspection centers nationwide to issue or reissue modification certificates.
This provision applies to cases where modification certificates are missing, expired, or incorrectly issued. For vehicles denied inspection for other reasons, owners are advised to work with relevant authorities, including traffic management offices, administrative violation handling agencies, or judicial entities, to resolve outstanding issues.
As these regulations come into effect, vehicle owners are urged to ensure their documents and vehicles comply fully with the updated standards.
Adhering to these new requirements will help avoid inspection refusals and contribute to a more orderly and safe transportation system in Vietnam.
