Ford Ranger Raptor 2023: Truck License Plate Change - New Regulations & Impacts

Recently, the news that the Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 is switching to truck license plates (plates C or H) instead of passenger car plates as before has stirred up the pickup truck enthusiast community in Vietnam. This change not only affects the registration fee but also impacts many other aspects related to the rights and obligations of vehicle owners. This article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình will delve into the new regulations on pickup truck license plates, clarify the changes for the Ford Ranger Raptor 2023, and highlight important points for car owners to note.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 transitioning to a truck license plate with the C symbol

Decoding the Meaning of Vehicle License Plate Symbols in Vietnam

To effectively manage and classify vehicles, the Ministry of Public Security issued Circular 01/2007/TT-BCA-C11 regulating the identification of motor vehicle license plates. Accordingly, the letters on license plates are not merely random elements but carry the meaning of classifying different vehicle types, including passenger cars, buses, trucks, pickup trucks, vans, etc.

Passenger car license plates (white plate with black letters): Use the letter symbols A, E, F. This type of license plate is issued to personal cars, sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, Crossovers, MPVs, and vehicles with similar structures to passenger cars.
Bus license plates (white plate with black letters): Use the letter symbol B. Reserved for vehicles carrying people with 9 seats or more, including buses, tourist cars, and passenger transport services.
Truck and pickup truck license plates (white plate with black letters): Use the letter symbols C, H. This is the license plate type for trucks and pickup trucks. In Vietnam, the C symbol is most common for pickup trucks, while H is often used for pickup trucks registered in Ho Chi Minh City. Familiar pickup truck models such as Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max, Chevrolet Colorado (previously) all use license plates with the symbol C or H.
Van license plates (white plate with black letters): Use the letter symbol D. Reserved for cargo vans with a closed cargo compartment design and often only 2 seats, such as Suzuki Super Carry Van, Chevrolet Spark Van (previously).
Joint venture vehicle license plates (white plate with LD letters): Use the symbol LD. Reserved for vehicles of joint venture enterprises or 100% foreign-owned enterprises. This type of license plate is easily seen in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Pickup truck license plates with C and H symbols

Ford Ranger Raptor 2023: From Passenger Car Plates to Pickup Truck Plates

Previously, despite being positioned as a pickup truck, the Ford Ranger Raptor was issued passenger car license plates (plates A, E, F). For example, in Can Tho, a Raptor license plate could be 65A-XXXXX, or 51F-XXXXX in Ho Chi Minh City. The reason for this “confusion” stems from regulations on the ratio of passenger and cargo capacity of double-cab pickup trucks.

Accordingly, if the passenger capacity ratio (cabin compartment) is less than 80% compared to the total capacity of the vehicle, the vehicle will be identified as a double-cab cargo pickup truck and issued a truck license plate (plates C, H). Conversely, if the passenger capacity ratio is greater than 80%, the vehicle will be classified as a double-cab passenger pickup truck and issued a passenger car license plate.

However, starting with vehicles manufactured from February 2022, the Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 has officially switched to using truck license plates (plates C or H), similar to regular Ranger versions. Ford Vietnam representatives stated that this change stems from adjustments to the vehicle’s carrying capacity and the ratio of cargo-to-passenger weight. Although the American automaker has not announced specific technical specifications, it can be understood that Ford has made certain changes in design or technical parameters for the Ranger Raptor 2023 to meet the criteria for a cargo pickup truck under the new regulations.

This change means that Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 owners will benefit from a lower registration fee, only 6-7.2% (depending on the locality) instead of 10-12% as before when the car was considered a passenger car. However, along with the advantage of lower registration fees comes the disadvantage of the vehicle’s lifespan. Ford Ranger Raptors with truck license plates will have to comply with a 25-year lifespan, similar to other truck and regular pickup truck models.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 with an aggressive and rugged appearance

Pros and Cons When the Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 Gets a Pickup Truck License Plate

The Ford Ranger Raptor 2023’s switch to a pickup truck license plate brings both benefits and limitations, and may cause mixed reactions from customers.

Pros:

Lower registration fee: This is the most direct and obvious benefit. The significantly reduced registration fee helps lower the initial on-road costs for car owners, especially for a high-value model like the Ranger Raptor.

Cons:

25-year lifespan: Vehicles with truck license plates will be limited to a 25-year lifespan, after which the vehicle will not be allowed to circulate. This may affect the resale value of the car later on.
Impact on customer perception: For some customers, especially those who buy the Ranger Raptor for passion and personal style, passenger car license plates may be preferred because they create a “passenger car” feel and are less restricted by traffic regulations compared to truck license plates. The switch to truck license plates may make some customers feel “disappointed” or dissatisfied.

Conclusion:

The Ford Ranger Raptor 2023’s transition to using pickup truck license plates is a noteworthy change, stemming from adjustments in vehicle classification regulations and the vehicle’s technical specifications. While it brings benefits in terms of registration fees, the application of a lifespan and changes in “image” may be factors for customers to consider. This decision by Ford will certainly have certain impacts on the pickup truck market and consumer perceptions of the Ford Ranger Raptor line in Vietnam.

Tan Thuan Auto Joint Stock Company – FORD TAN THUAN – The largest authorized dealer of Ford Vietnam in the South