On June 2, 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued Circular 08/2023 amending and supplementing some provisions of Circular 16/2021 on technical safety inspection and environmental protection of road motor vehicles.
Accordingly, passenger cars with up to 9 seats, not engaged in transport business, that were issued a certificate and inspection sticker before March 22, 2023, and still have valid inspection until the effective date of the Circular (June 3), will have their inspection cycles automatically extended. As a result, vehicle owners do not need to take their vehicles for inspection.
The inspection agency will automatically issue a confirmation of the validity period of the certificate and inspection sticker for the vehicle. The issuance of the extension confirmation for the inspection cycle of the above-mentioned vehicles is valid until July 1, 2024.
The Vietnam Register stated that about 1.4 million private cars with up to 9 seats, not engaged in transport business, have had their inspection deadlines extended by an additional 6 months. This allows inspection units to focus their manpower and facilities on serving vehicles that are overdue for inspection, while resolving traffic congestion and ensuring the timely operation of transportation vehicles.
Explaining the reason why Circular 08/2023 only applies to non-transportation vehicles with less than 9 seats, the leaders of the Vietnam Register explained that this is a group of private vehicles with less intensive usage. The maintenance and repair of these vehicles are also better compared to commercial vehicles. The rate of passing the first inspection for this group is high, about 95% of the total vehicles. Therefore, even without re-inspection before extending the cycle, this group of vehicles still ensures safety.
Under the new Circular, the automatic extension of the inspection cycle does not apply to cases where the certificate and inspection sticker have expired before June 3. These vehicles still have to go to the vehicle inspection center to obtain new stickers and certificates. The Vietnam Register estimates that there are nearly 155,600 vehicles that are currently overdue for inspection.
The inspection agency will organize a query system for information regarding the validity period of the inspection certificate and sticker, and provide an account for vehicle owners to inquire and receive information.
According to Circular 02/2023 of the Ministry of Transport, passenger cars with less than 9 seats, not engaged in transport business, manufactured within 7 years, are exempt from inspection for 36 months and have a regular inspection cycle of 24 months, both increased by 6 months compared to previous regulations. Meanwhile, vehicles manufactured for 7 – 20 years (previously 12 years) have a regular inspection cycle of 12 months. Vehicles over 20 years have an inspection cycle of 6 months. Vehicle owners must take their vehicles for inspection before transitioning to a new inspection cycle.
