If I lose my license plate, can I order a new one myself?
Losing license plates is not uncommon for vehicle owners. Many who lose their license plates have gone to repair shops to get replacements. However, this behavior can result in penalties.
According to Decree 100/2019, for vehicles with license plates not issued by the competent authority (including trailers and semi-trailers), the driver will be fined from 4 to 6 million VND; the license plate will be confiscated; and the driver's license will be suspended for 1 to 3 months.
Not only are the drivers fined, but the owners of these vehicles are also held responsible. Specifically, fines range from 4 to 6 million VND for individual vehicle owners and from 8 to 12 million VND for organizational vehicle owners.
For motorcycles, the driver will be fined between 300,000 and 400,000 VND and have their license plate confiscated; the owner will be fined between 800,000 and 2,000,000 VND if they are an individual; and between 1,600,000 and 4,000,000 VND if the owner is an organization.
 |
When a vehicle's license plate is lost, the owner must absolutely not have a new one made at a shop but must go to the relevant authorities to complete the procedures for reissuing the license plate. |
Therefore, when a vehicle's license plate is lost, the owner absolutely must not have a new plate made at a shop but must go to the relevant authorities to complete the procedures for reissuing the license plate.
The procedure for reissuing vehicle license plates includes the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare the documents
Those who need to have their vehicle license plates reissued should prepare the following documents:
- Vehicle registration application form (Form 01);
- Vehicle owner's documents:
+ If the vehicle owner is a Vietnamese citizen: Identity card/Citizen ID/Household registration book;
+ Armed Forces: People's Public Security ID or People's Army ID or a confirmation letter from the head of the agency or unit at the regimental, departmental, district-level police or equivalent level or higher;
+ For vehicle owners who are Vietnamese citizens residing abroad and returning to live and work in Vietnam: Temporary residence permit/Household registration book or Passport (still valid);
+ If the vehicle owner is a foreigner: A letter of introduction from the State Protocol Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and presentation of a diplomatic or official identity card (still valid); a visa valid for one year or more, or other documents equivalent to a visa;
+ For vehicle owners that are agencies or organizations: Citizen ID card or National ID card of the person registering the vehicle; Military enterprise vehicles must have a letter of introduction signed and stamped by the Head of the Vehicle and Machinery Department, Ministry of National Defense; a letter of introduction from the State Protocol Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and presentation of a diplomatic ID card or official ID card (still valid) of the person registering the vehicle.
Step 2: Submit your application
The agency that issued the vehicle registration and license plate is responsible for reissuing the license plate if it is lost.
Citizens can submit applications directly at the headquarters of the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial/City Police/vehicle registration points of the Department or at the District Police/vehicle registration points of the District Police.
Step 3: Receive your reissued license plate.
According to Decision 933/QD-BCA-C08, license plates will be issued immediately upon receipt of a valid application; in cases where license plate production is required, the processing time shall not exceed 7 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application.
Regarding the fee for reissuing vehicle license plates, Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular 229/2016/TT-BTC stipulates that the fee for reissuing vehicle license plates is 100,000 VND.
