Recently, Decree No. 168/2024/ND-CP has outlined new administrative fines for traffic violations (effective from January 1, 2025). This is one of the key points for drivers and those using cars in traffic to take note of. Let’s explore these new fines to get important information for participating in traffic safely!
Overview of some notable new traffic regulations for 2025:
Increased fines for serious violations
The new decree significantly increases fines for intentional, dangerous violations that directly cause traffic accidents. Specifically:
- Failure to comply with traffic light signals: Increased from 4-6 million VND to 18-20 million VND.
- Driving in the opposite direction on one-way streets or streets with “No entry” signs: Increased from 4-6 million VND to 18-20 million VND.
- Opening the car door or leaving the door open unsafely, causing traffic accidents: Increased from 400,000 – 600,000 VND to 20-22 million VND.
Implementation of a point system on driver’s licenses
Each driver’s license will have 12 points. When a violation occurs, points will be deducted according to the severity of the violation. If all points are deducted, the driver’s license will be revoked. Additionally, points will be restored after 12 months of no violations, starting from the last violation.
If a driver’s license has all points deducted, the driver cannot drive with that license. After at least 6 months from the date all points are deducted, the driver can take a traffic law knowledge test organized by the Traffic Police. If the test is passed, the driver will have their full 12 points restored.
Changes in driver’s license categories
Starting from 2025, driver’s licenses will be classified into 15 categories, up from the current 13. This new classification ensures specialization, safety, and suitability for specific types of vehicles.
Additionally, requirements for training, testing, and issuing licenses will be more stringent. This will not only improve driving skills but also reduce cheating in exams and licensing.
Drivers will need to attend courses to supplement their knowledge of traffic laws, professional ethics (for service drivers), and safe driving skills. Those who wish to upgrade their driver’s license will need to meet the required time and safe driving distance.
Changes to driver’s license validity
The 2024 Road Traffic Safety Law clearly specifies the validity of car driver’s licenses (for motorcycle licenses A1, A2 & A3 are still valid indefinitely as before) as follows:
- B and C1 licenses are valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
- C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, and DE licenses are valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
New administrative fines for traffic violations starting from 2025
| Violation | Old Fine Range | New Fine Range (From 01/01/2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to comply with traffic lights (Running red lights, etc.) | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND | 18,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND |
| Driving against traffic on one-way roads or roads with “No entry” signs | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND | 18,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND |
| Failure to slow down (or stop) and yield when driving from a side street onto a main road | 800,000 – 1,000,000 VND | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND |
| Failure to yield to pedestrians or wheelchairs at crosswalks | 300,000 – 400,000 VND | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND |
| Opening a car door unsafely, causing an accident | 400,000 – 600,000 VND | 20,000,000 – 22,000,000 VND |
| Transporting goods improperly secured | 600,000 – 800,000 VND | 18,000,000 – 22,000,000 VND |
| Failure to comply with traffic controller’s signals | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND | 18,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND |
| Obstructing or failing to comply with inspection requirements | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND | 35,000,000 – 37,000,000 VND |
| Reckless driving, excessive speeding, using feet to control the steering wheel | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 VND | 40,000,000 – 50,000,000 VND |
| Alcohol concentration exceeding 50-80 mg/100ml blood or 0.25-0.4 mg/l of breath | 16,000,000 – 18,000,000 VND | 18,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND |
| Speeding over 35 km/h | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 VND | 12,000,000 – 14,000,000 VND |
| Driving a vehicle with unclear or altered license plates | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND | 20,000,000 – 26,000,000 VND |
| Using a mobile phone or electronic devices while driving | 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 VND | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND |
| Stopping or parking in unauthorized areas on highways | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 VND | 12,000,000 – 14,000,000 VND |
| Driving against traffic on highways | 16,000,000 – 18,000,000 VND | 30,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND |
| Reversing on highways | 16,000,000 – 18,000,000 VND | 30,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND |
| U-turns on highways | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 VND | 30,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND |
As we can see, the new fines have increased 20-30 times compared to previous laws. While this may increase pressure on drivers and other road users, it also serves as a way to improve road safety culture and reduce traffic accidents in the future.
This article from SBS Transport helps everyone gain a general understanding of some important new traffic regulations for 2025. We hope that everyone will comply with these regulations and always be mindful when participating in traffic to avoid unfortunate fines!
