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
Effective July 1, 2026
Before
No child seat requirement
No legal requirement for child safety seats or positioning restrictions
After (2026)
Child seats mandatory
Children 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
From July 1, 2026, private vehicle drivers must use approved child safety seats for children under 10 years or 1.35m tall. They cannot sit in the front row. Fines range from VND 800,000 to 1,000,000. Taxis, ride-hailing, and buses are exempt.
Penalties & Fines
Effective January 1, 2025
Before
Fines and license suspension
Traffic violations resulted in fines and potential license suspension without point tracking
After (2026)
12-point system active
All drivers start with 12 points; violations deduct 2-10 points; losing all points results in 6-month driving ban and mandatory knowledge test
The 12-point system is now active. Points are deducted based on offense severity (2-10 points). If you keep a clean record for 12 months after a violation, points are restored to 12. Losing all points means a 6-month ban and retesting. Track your points via the VNeID app.
Vehicle Equipment
Effective January 1, 2029
Before
Limited camera requirements
Camera requirements applied only to certain commercial vehicles
After (2026)
Expanded camera mandate
Vehicles with 8+ passengers must install passenger-cabin cameras; freight vehicles, tractors, and ambulances need driver-facing cameras and journey monitoring systems
Commercial passenger vehicles with 8+ seats (excluding driver) must install cabin cameras by January 2029. Freight vehicles and ambulances also need driver-facing cameras and journey monitoring systems. This phased implementation allows businesses time to comply.
Environmental Zones
Effective March 1, 2026
Before
Limited emission controls
Emission standards applied primarily to new vehicles only
After (2026)
Age-based emission levels
All 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
Decision 43/2025/QD-TTg sets emission standards by vehicle age. Older vehicles must meet lower levels, newer ones higher levels. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have even stricter requirements with Level 4 for 2017-2021 vehicles by 2027 and Level 5 for 2022+ vehicles by 2028.
Licensing
Effective July 1, 2026
Before
10 hours/day, 48 hours/week limit
Drivers were capped at 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week of driving
After (2026)
4-hour continuous limit only
Daily and weekly caps removed; drivers limited to 4 consecutive hours of driving; total working time governed by Labor Code
The rigid 10 hours/day and 48 hours/week limits are removed. Now drivers must take breaks after 4 consecutive hours of driving, with total work hours governed by Vietnam's Labor Code. This provides more flexibility while still ensuring regular breaks.
Licensing
Effective July 1, 2026
Before
C license required for CE
Only class C license holders could upgrade to CE (heavy trucks with trailers)
After (2026)
D1, D2, D eligible for CE
Drivers with D1, D2, or D licenses (passenger vehicles) can now train and upgrade to class CE for heavy truck operation
Good news for professional drivers: if you have a D1, D2, or D license (passenger vehicles), you can now upgrade to CE class. CE permits operation of tractor-trailers, container trucks, and class C vehicles towing trailers over 750kg. This opens new career opportunities.
Licensing
Effective January 1, 2026
Before
Standard physical license
Traditional driver license format without digital features
After (2026)
PET material with QR code
New licenses printed on pink PET material with blue-tinted portrait area and QR code on back for digital verification
New driver licenses have a modern design: pink PET material, blue-tinted photo area, and a QR code on the back. The QR enables quick verification by authorities. Existing licenses remain valid until renewal.
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: February 1, 2026
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