Vietnam implements major traffic law reforms in 2026 under Law 118/2025/QH15: mandatory child safety seats, a 12-point driver license system, vehicle camera requirements, stricter emission standards, and revised driver working hours.
Safety rules
Before
No child seat requirementNo legal requirement for child safety seats or positioning restrictions
After (2026)
Child seats mandatoryChildren under 10 years old and under 1.35m tall cannot sit in the same row as the driver; approved child safety devices required in private vehicles
Penalties & fines
Before
Fines and license suspensionTraffic violations resulted in fines and potential license suspension without point tracking
After (2026)
12-point system activeAll drivers start with 12 points; violations deduct 2-10 points; losing all points results in 6-month driving ban and mandatory knowledge test
Vehicle equipment
Before
Limited camera requirementsCamera requirements applied only to certain commercial vehicles
After (2026)
Expanded camera mandateVehicles with 8+ passengers must install passenger-cabin cameras; freight vehicles, tractors, and ambulances need driver-facing cameras and journey monitoring systems
Environmental zones
Before
Limited emission controlsEmission standards applied primarily to new vehicles only
After (2026)
Age-based emission levelsAll vehicles must meet emission standards based on manufacture year: Level 1 for pre-1999, Level 2 for 1999-2016, Level 3 for 2017-2021; stricter rules for Hanoi and HCMC
Licensing
Before
10 hours/day, 48 hours/week limitDrivers were capped at 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week of driving
After (2026)
4-hour continuous limit onlyDaily and weekly caps removed; drivers limited to 4 consecutive hours of driving; total working time governed by Labor Code
Licensing
Before
C license required for CEOnly class C license holders could upgrade to CE (heavy trucks with trailers)
After (2026)
D1, D2, D eligible for CEDrivers with D1, D2, or D licenses (passenger vehicles) can now train and upgrade to class CE for heavy truck operation
Licensing
Before
Standard physical licenseTraditional driver license format without digital features
After (2026)
PET material with QR codeNew licenses printed on pink PET material with blue-tinted portrait area and QR code on back for digital verification
From July 1, 2026, children under 10 years old and under 1.35m tall must use approved child safety devices and cannot sit in the same row as the driver (except in single-row vehicles). Fines range from VND 800,000-1,000,000. Taxis, ride-hailing services, and buses are exempt from this requirement.
Every driver starts with 12 points. Traffic violations deduct 2-10 points depending on severity. If you maintain a clean record for 12 months after a violation, all 12 points are restored. Losing all points results in a 6-month driving ban, and you must pass a road-safety knowledge test to regain your license. Track your points via the VNeID app.
No. If you drive with a national license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), the point-deduction system does not apply to you. However, if you hold a Vietnamese driver license, the 12-point system applies fully.
From January 1, 2029, commercial passenger vehicles with 8 or more seats (excluding the driver) must install passenger-cabin cameras. Freight vehicles, tractor trucks, and ambulances must also have driver-facing cameras and journey monitoring systems. This phased implementation gives businesses time to comply.
From March 1, 2026, all vehicles must meet emission standards based on manufacture year: Level 1 for pre-1999 vehicles, Level 2 for 1999-2016, and Level 3 for 2017-2021. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have stricter requirements: Level 4 for 2017-2021 vehicles by January 2027, and Level 5 for 2022+ vehicles by January 2028.
All rule changes are sourced from official government transport agencies and legal publications. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government agency. Rules may be subject to change before their effective dates.
Information last verified: 1 February 2026Everything you need to pass on your first attempt
