Vietnam’s traffic police say drivers won’t be fined for temporarily hidden plates due to rain, mud or dust. Read more now.
Vietnam’s traffic police (CSGT) have clarified that drivers will not be fined when a vehicle’s licence‑plate becomes temporarily unreadable due to unavoidable circumstances such as heavy rain, mud, dust or other natural conditions.
When is a covered plate exempt from penalties?
- Weather‑related obscuration – rain or flooding that splashes water onto the plate.
- Road‑side conditions – mud, dust, sand or debris that stick to the numbers.
- Unforeseen incidents – accidents that fling dirt onto the plate.
In these situations the law treats the obstruction as “objective and unavoidable,” meaning the driver is not liable for a traffic violation.
Do drivers have to stop immediately to clean the plate?
No. If a vehicle is moving on a highway or a long stretch of road, the driver is not required to pull over at the first sign of a dirty plate. The police advise that the plate should be cleaned as soon as it is safe to do so—once the vehicle reaches a safe stopping point or a rest area.
What if the driver ignores a clearly dirty plate?
If a driver continues to operate the vehicle after stopping in a safe place, or if the licence‑plate remains dirty for an extended period, the traffic police may issue a fine. The fine applies when the driver knowingly lets the plate stay covered despite having the opportunity to clean it.
How will police verify the condition of a plate?
When a vehicle is stopped, officers can use on‑board cameras, traffic‑monitoring CCTV, or dash‑cam footage to confirm whether the obscuration was accidental or deliberate before deciding on a penalty.
Legal background
According to Decree No. 168, Article 13, clause 8, a driver can be fined VND 20‑26 million for not displaying a proper licence‑plate, using a plate with altered characters, or covering it with stickers or tape. The 2024 Road Safety Law also lists “covering or bending a licence‑plate” as a prohibited act.
Violators must either restore the plate to its original condition—by cleaning it or removing any foreign material—or face additional sanctions, including a 6‑point deduction from their driving licence. For motor‑bike owners, the fine ranges from VND 4‑6 million, also with a 6‑point licence deduction.
Key take‑aways for drivers
- Clean the plate as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Do not deliberately cover the plate with stickers, tape, or paint.
- Keep a cloth or cleaning wipes in the vehicle for quick maintenance.
- Be aware of the substantial fines and licence‑point penalties for non‑compliance.
Staying proactive about licence‑plate visibility helps avoid fines and contributes to safer roads for everyone.