Vietnam proposes stricter vehicle inspection rules, adding new serious defects

The Ministry of Construction in Vietnam is seeking public comment on a draft National Technical Standard that would replace the current QCVN 122:2024/BGTVT for road vehicle inspections. The proposal adds a long list of defects to the “serious” category, meaning any vehicle with such issues would fail registration and require repair before re‑inspection.

Key additions include requiring license plates to be installed in the manufacturer‑specified position, mandating the presence of an emergency window‑breaking tool, ensuring functional windshield wipers, limiting vehicle weight to recorded specifications, and enforcing proper operation of engine speedometers and lighting devices. The draft also calls for mandatory on‑board cameras, correct horn sound levels, and minimum windshield light transmission, among other safety‑related items.

These changes aim to improve road safety by tightening technical compliance and preventing vehicles with hazardous faults from being allowed on public roads.