The New Year Crackdown: From 1st January 2025, Drivers Face License Points Deduction and Fines for Drunk Driving

According to the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security), Decree 168/2024 of the Government on administrative sanctions for road traffic violations, point deduction, and restoration will come into force on January 1, 2025, replacing Decree 100/2019 (amended and supplemented by Decree 123).

Under the new regulations, each driving license carries 12 points, which are used to manage compliance with road traffic safety laws. Drivers will have points deducted according to the nature and severity of their offenses.

In the implementation guidance document, the Traffic Police Department listed 189 actions that will result in a driving license point deduction ranging from 2 to 12 points, with 28 actions resulting in a maximum 12-point deduction. These are all intentional, dangerous actions with a high risk of causing traffic accidents.

For alcohol-related offenses involving motorcycle riders, Decree 168/2024 stipulates that those caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of less than 50 miligrams/100 milliliters or a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of less than 0.25 miligrams/1 liter will face a fine of VND 2-3 million and a 10-12 month license suspension. Additionally, four points will be deducted from their driving license.

Motorcycle riders who violate the limits with a BAC of 50-80 miligrams/100 milliliters or a BrAC of 0.25-0.4 miligrams/1 liter will be fined VND 6-8 million (as opposed to VND 4-5 million in Decree 100/2019). Simultaneously, 10 points will be deducted from their driving license (instead of a 16-18 month license revocation).

In cases where motorcycle riders exceed the limit with a BAC of over 80 miligrams/100 milliliters or a BrAC of more than 0.4 miligrams/1 liter, they will be fined VND 8-10 million (as opposed to VND 6-8 million in Decree 100) and their license will be revoked for 22-24 months.

Furthermore, Decree 168/2024 also introduces new provisions for drivers of automobiles who violate alcohol limits. Those with a BAC of less than 50 miligrams/100 milliliters or a BrAC of less than 0.25 miligrams/1 liter will be fined VND 6-8 million and have four points deducted from their license instead of license revocation.

When automobile drivers violate the limits with a BAC of 50-80 miligrams/100 milliliters or a BrAC of 0.25-0.4 miligrams/1 liter, the fine remains unchanged from Decree 100/2019 at VND 16-18 million, but 10 points will be deducted from their license.

For automobile drivers who exceed the limit with a BAC of over 80 miligrams/100 milliliters or a BrAC of more than 0.4 miligrams/1 liter, they will be fined VND 30-40 million and their license will be revoked for 22-24 months.

Regarding the implementation of the point deduction system, the Traffic Police Department stated that the violation processing software has been updated to comply with the new regulations. Additionally, the databases have been interconnected and linked to the national population database.

The authorities also advised drivers with licenses issued before July 1, 2012, to exchange them for new ones. Citizens are also encouraged to connect their licenses to the VNeID application to easily monitor their points and license status.

Along with strict penalties for drivers, the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security and the Traffic Police Department have directed law enforcement to uphold the law impartially, without exceptions.

Thai Son (Tuoitrethudo)