Adding seats to a van is a common concern for vehicle owners. This article clarifies the legal regulations regarding adding seats to vans and the associated penalties for violations.
Van with question mark over it, asking about adding seats
Adding Seats to a Van: Legal Regulations
According to Decree 46/2016/ND-CP, unauthorized modification of a vehicle’s structure, including adding seats to a van that deviates from the manufacturer’s design or an approved modification design, is a violation of the law.
Specifically, Clause 9, Article 30 of Decree 46/2016/ND-CP stipulates: A fine ranging from 6 million VND to 8 million VND will be imposed on individuals, and from 12 million VND to 16 million VND on organizations that own vehicles, for the act of arbitrarily adding or removing seats in a way that does not conform to the design.
Furthermore, carrying additional passengers in a van is also subject to penalties under Clause 2, Article 24 of Decree 46/2016/ND-CP. The fine ranges from 800,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND if passengers are carried in the cargo area in violation of regulations or if people lie or sit on the roof or cling to the outside of the vehicle while it is in motion.
Penalties for Adding Seats to a Van
When violating the regulations on adding seats to a van, vehicle owners will face the following penalties:
- Fine: From 6 million VND to 8 million VND for individuals.
- License suspension: From 1 month to 3 months.
- Forced restoration of the original condition of the vehicle: Removal of the added seats.
Q&A About Adding Seats to Vans
Question: I have a 2-seater van and want to add 2 more seats to take my family on trips. Is this a violation of the law?
Answer: Adding seats to a 2-seater van to carry family members violates Decree 46/2016/ND-CP. You will be fined 6-8 million VND, your driver’s license will be suspended for 1-3 months, and you will be required to remove the added seats.
Q&A graphic about adding seats to a van
Conclusion
Can you add seats to a van? The answer is no. Adding seats to a van is a violation of the law and will be severely penalized. Vehicle owners must comply with regulations to ensure traffic safety and avoid penalties. If you need to carry more people, you should choose suitable vehicles such as passenger cars or buses.
