Vietnam 2026 Driving Rule Changes
Official Source: Ministry of Transport (Bộ Giao thông Vận tải)
Last Updated: 2026년 2월 1일
Summary
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.
Key Changes
Mandatory Child Safety Seats and Positioning
Effective 2026년 7월 1일
No child seat requirement
No legal requirement for child safety seats or positioning restrictions
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
Official Source: Law 118/2025/QH15
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
12-Point Driver License System
Effective 2025년 1월 1일
Fines and license suspension
Traffic violations resulted in fines and potential license suspension without point tracking
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
Official Source: Decree 168/2024
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Mandatory Vehicle Camera Systems
Effective 2029년 1월 1일
Limited camera requirements
Camera requirements applied only to certain commercial vehicles
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
Official Source: Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Vehicle Emission Standards Roadmap
Effective 2026년 3월 1일
Limited emission controls
Emission standards applied primarily to new vehicles only
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
Official Source: Decision 43/2025/QD-TTg
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Changes by Category
⚠️Penalties & Fines(1)
12-Point Driver License System
Effective 2025년 1월 1일
Fines and license suspension
Traffic violations resulted in fines and potential license suspension without point tracking
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
Official Source: Decree 168/2024
🔧Vehicle Equipment(1)
Mandatory Vehicle Camera Systems
Effective 2029년 1월 1일
Limited camera requirements
Camera requirements applied only to certain commercial vehicles
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
Official Source: Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety
📋Licensing(3)
Driver Working Hours Revision
Effective 2026년 7월 1일
10 hours/day, 48 hours/week limit
Drivers were capped at 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week of driving
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
Official Source: Law 118/2025/QH15
Expanded CE License Upgrade Pathway
Effective 2026년 7월 1일
C license required for CE
Only class C license holders could upgrade to CE (heavy trucks with trailers)
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
Official Source: Law 118/2025/QH15
New Driver License Format with QR Code
Effective 2026년 1월 1일
Standard physical license
Traditional driver license format without digital features
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
Official Source: Vietnam Ministry of Transport
🛡️Safety Rules(1)
Mandatory Child Safety Seats and Positioning
Effective 2026년 7월 1일
No child seat requirement
No legal requirement for child safety seats or positioning restrictions
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
Official Source: Law 118/2025/QH15
🌱Environmental Zones(1)
Vehicle Emission Standards Roadmap
Effective 2026년 3월 1일
Limited emission controls
Emission standards applied primarily to new vehicles only
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
Official Source: Decision 43/2025/QD-TTg
Instructor Tips
Re: Mandatory Child Safety Seats and Positioning
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: 12-Point Driver License System
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: Mandatory Vehicle Camera Systems
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: Vehicle Emission Standards Roadmap
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: Driver Working Hours Revision
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: Expanded CE License Upgrade Pathway
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Re: New Driver License Format with QR Code
Instructor's Tip
“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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a child safety seat in Vietnam now?
How does Vietnam's 12-point driver license system work?
Do foreigners with international permits face point deductions in Vietnam?
What vehicles need cameras installed in Vietnam?
What are the new emission standards in Vietnam?
Sources & Methodology
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: 2026-02-01
Primary Sources:
- Ministry of Transport (Bộ Giao thông Vận tải) — Official regulatory body
- Law 118/2025/QH15 — Mandatory Child Safety Seats and Positioning
- Decree 168/2024 — 12-Point Driver License System
- Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety — Mandatory Vehicle Camera Systems
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Ready to Ace Your Driving Test?
Everything you need to pass on your first attempt
30+ Practice Tests
Real exam questions
Tess AI Coach
Personalized guidance
16 Lessons
Interactive learning
Progress Tracking
Performance insights