Changes to vehicle inspection and emissions regulations effective March 2024
From March 1st, the Vehicle Registration Department officially issues electronic certificates and applies new emission standards ranging from Euro 1 to Euro 4, depending on the vehicle's year of manufacture.
From the beginning of March, new regulations on emission standards and vehicle inspection procedures officially came into effect. These changes require vehicle owners to be aware of the timelines and technical standards to ensure legal compliance and avoid problems when taking their vehicles for inspection.
Discontinue the use of paper forms for vehicle registration certificates and implement electronic vehicle registration documents.
According to Resolution No. 57, from March 1st, the Vehicle Registration Department officially began issuing Certificates of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection Inspection electronically nationwide. This regulation applies to both motor vehicles and specialized vehicles.
The new system will no longer use physical printed certificates as currently. For vehicle owners who still need a physical copy, the inspection center will print the certificate directly from the management software and stamp it for confirmation. The electronic certificate will integrate a QR code that links directly to the database on the Department of Vehicle Registration's website, allowing for real-time updates of inspection information and emission levels.
This solution not only optimizes data management but also assists law enforcement in controlling and preventing the increasingly complex issue of using counterfeit inspection certificates.
Roadmap for implementing new emission standards
At the same time, Decision No. 43 on the application of new emission standards came into effect. This standard is classified based on the vehicle's year of manufacture, specifically as follows:
| Year of manufacture | Applicable emission standards |
|---|---|
| Before 1999 | Level 1 (Euro 1) |
| Period 1999–2016 | Level 2 (Euro 2) |
| Period 2017–2021 | Level 3 (Euro 3) |
| From 2022 onwards | Level 4 (Euro 4) |
Notably, in the two major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the stricter emission standards will have higher requirements but a later implementation date to give people time to prepare. Specifically, from January 2027, vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2021 must meet Euro 4 standards. By January 2028, all vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards will be required to meet Euro 5 standards. Only vehicles that meet these standards will be issued emission certificates or stickers to continue circulating legally.
