It is not uncommon in Vietnam for car and motorcycle owners to modify or change the structure of their vehicles to make them stand out or look more impressive. However, not everyone is aware that doing so can result in hefty fines of up to 150 million VND according to the new Decree 168/2024. In this article, we will answer questions such as “What is changing the structure of a vehicle?”, “How much is the fine for changing the structure?”, and “What is the procedure for requesting a change in the structure of a motorcycle?”
What is Changing the Structure of a Vehicle?
According to Clause 7, Article 2 of the 2024 Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, vehicle modification (hereinafter referred to as modification) refers to changing the characteristics of a registered vehicle, including changes to the vehicle’s frame, engine, appearance, or dimensions, that differ from the specifications provided by the competent authority.
Article 9 of the same law stipulates the following prohibited actions:
- Converting cars of other types into passenger cars, except for conversions for national defense or security purposes.
- Illegal modifications; intentional interference with the odometer; illegal cutting, welding, erasing, altering, or refastening of the vehicle’s frame and engine number.
Penalties for Changing the Structure of a Vehicle
The penalties for modifying a vehicle are clearly outlined in Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Below are the specific fines for different types of vehicles.
Penalties for Motorcycle Structure Alterations
According to Clause 8, Article 32 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, individuals who are owners of motorcycles or similar vehicles and modify the frame, engine, shape, size, or characteristics of their vehicles will be fined between 4,000,000 VND and 6,000,000 VND. For organizations, the fine ranges from 8,000,000 VND to 12,000,000 VND. These fines represent a significant increase compared to the previous regulations.
It is important to note that modifying the structure of a motorcycle, specifically altering its frame, engine, shape, size, or characteristics, will not result in any deduction of points from the driver’s license.
Fines for motorcycle structure changes can reach up to 12 million VND (illustrative image)
Penalties for Car Structure Alterations
According to Clause 16, Article 32 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, individuals who are owners of cars or similar vehicles and modify the structure of their vehicles will be fined between 65,000,000 VND and 75,000,000 VND. For organizations, the fine ranges from 130,000,000 VND to 150,000,000 VND. This is a substantial increase compared to the previous fines outlined in Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, which ranged from 6 to 8 million VND for individuals and 12 to 16 million VND for organizations.
The violations that incur these penalties include unauthorized modifications to the vehicle’s frame, engine, braking system, transmission system, or other critical components. It also includes altering the design of the vehicle’s structure, shape, or size without adhering to the manufacturer’s specifications or approved modifications. Additionally, changing the intended use of the vehicle or installing additional mechanisms for lifting or lowering the cargo area are also subject to these fines.
Fines for car structure changes can reach up to 16 million VND (illustrative image)
Penalties for Changing the Vehicle’s Paint Color
According to Clause 7, Article 32 of Decree 168, failing to update the vehicle’s paint color change with the relevant authorities will result in a fine ranging from 4 to 6 million VND for individuals and 8 to 12 million VND for organizations that own cars, passenger cars with engines, cargo cars with engines, specialized vehicles, and other vehicles similar to cars.
Similar fines are imposed for installing audio and lighting equipment on vehicles that cause disturbances and affect road traffic safety. On the other hand, installing audio and lighting equipment on motorcycles that do not comply with regulations will result in a fine ranging from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND for individuals and 1,600,000 to 2,000,000 VND for organizations.
Violations Leading to Vehicle Confiscation
According to Clause 17, Article 32 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, vehicle confiscation will be enforced for owners of cars, passenger cars with engines, cargo cars with engines, specialized vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicles similar to cars or motorcycles who commit any of the following violations:
- Illegal cutting, welding, erasing, altering, or refastening of the vehicle’s frame and engine number, and subsequently using the vehicle for transportation.
- Converting cars of other types into passenger cars.
Procedures for Requesting a Change in Vehicle Structure
Procedure for Changing the Vehicle’s Paint Color
To avoid penalties, it is advisable to complete the necessary procedures before changing the paint color of your vehicle. According to Circular No. 15/2014/TT-BCA, if you change the color of your vehicle, you must also change the vehicle registration certificate. The procedure for changing the registration certificate is as follows:
- Complete the vehicle registration form.
- Provide the necessary documents, such as your identification card or citizen identification card. If you have not been issued an identification card or if your place of residence on the identification card does not match the one on the vehicle registration form, you must present your household registration book. For foreign nationals, a temporary residence book, household registration book, and valid passport must be submitted.
- Submit the old vehicle registration certificate.
- Bring the vehicle for an inspection to verify its current condition.
According to Circular No. 229/2016/TT-BTC, the fee for changing or reissuing a vehicle registration certificate for motorcycles (excluding motorcycles moving from areas with lower fees to areas with higher fees) is 50,000 VND. For cars in areas I, II, and III, the fee is 150,000 VND. After completing the necessary procedures, you can change the paint color of your vehicle to match the color specified in the newly issued registration certificate.
Before repainting a vehicle, the owner must complete the necessary procedures (illustrative image)
Procedure for Changing the Structure of a Vehicle
According to Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT, which provides regulations for the modification of road motor vehicles, the procedure for changing the structure of a vehicle is as follows:
Prepare a vehicle design modification dossier, including:
- Technical design explanation (original) as per the requirements specified in Section A of Appendix I of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
- Technical drawings (original) as per the requirements specified in Section B of Appendix I of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
Prepare a dossier for design appraisal, including:
- A request for design appraisal (original) using the form specified in Appendix III of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
- Four sets of vehicle design modification dossiers with components as specified in Article 5 of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
- Documentation of technical specifications and performance of the modified vehicle, along with its systems and components (certified copy with confirmation from the design agency).
- A certified copy of one of the following documents, with confirmation from the design agency: Vehicle Registration Certificate; Transfer and Relocation Certificate (for vehicles in the process of transfer and relocation); Certificate of Quality, Safety, and Technical and Environmental Protection for Imported Motor Vehicles or documents confirming the completion of import procedures (for used motor vehicles allowed for import without a license plate).
Submit one set of the design appraisal dossier to the design appraisal agency, which can be the Vietnam Register or the Provincial Department of Transport. The design appraisal agency will review the dossier and, if it meets the requirements, will issue a Design Appraisal Certificate within 7 working days from the date of receiving the complete dossier. In cases where the certificate cannot be issued, the design appraisal agency will notify in writing and provide a reason within 22 working days from the date of the appraisal result.
Acceptance of Modified Vehicles:
After the modification process, as per the approved design, the vehicle must undergo an acceptance inspection by the Vietnam Register or the vehicle inspection agency. For cases where the entire driver’s cabin, vehicle body, or passenger compartment is modified, the modification facility must notify the inspection agency to inspect and accept the vehicle’s frame structure before finalization.
Dossier for Acceptance of Modified Vehicles, including:
- A request for acceptance of modified vehicles using the form specified in Appendix VII of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
- Approved design. In cases where the design is exempt as per Clauses 3, 4, and 6 of Article 6 of this Circular, a general drawing of the modified vehicle, prepared by the modification facility, is required.
- Overall photos of the modified vehicle, taken at a 45-degree angle from the front and back of the vehicle, along with detailed photos of the modified systems and components.
- Acceptance report of the modified vehicle upon completion.
- A list of new systems and components used in the modification, as per the form specified in Appendix VIII of Circular No. 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.
- Certified copies of documents related to technical specifications, performance, and source confirmation of modified systems and components, with confirmation from the modification facility.
- Certificate of quality and safety for cranes, tankers carrying hazardous goods, tankers carrying compressed or liquefied gas, and specialized equipment as per regulations.
Submit one set of the acceptance dossier for modified vehicles to the modification acceptance agency. If the acceptance inspection is successful, the agency will issue a Modification Certificate within 3 working days from the date of completion of the acceptance inspection. In cases where the certificate cannot be issued, the modification acceptance agency will notify in writing and provide a reason within 2 working days from the date of the acceptance inspection result.
We hope that through this article, you now have a clearer understanding of the penalties for changing the structure of a vehicle and the necessary procedures to follow if you intend to make such modifications. This knowledge will help you avoid any legal repercussions when participating in road traffic.
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