Truck decals are a crucial legal requirement for businesses and individuals operating in the freight transport sector in Vietnam. Compliance with truck decal regulations not only ensures legal business operations but also contributes to traffic management and transportation safety. This guide from My Dinh Trucks provides detailed and updated information on truck decal regulations, helping you understand the rules, procedures, and avoid unnecessary violations.
What are Truck Decals? Definition and Purpose
A truck decal, also known as a transportation permit sticker, is a certificate issued by a competent authority, allowing trucks to participate in commercial freight transportation. Simply put, truck decal regulations stipulate that for trucks to legally operate in commercial transport, they must be issued and display a decal according to regulations.
The main purposes of truck decals are:
- Transportation Management: The government manages the number and types of trucks participating in commercial transportation, ensuring order and efficiency in this sector.
- Enhanced Traffic Safety: Controlling vehicles that meet technical safety requirements and drivers with sufficient qualifications contributes to reducing traffic accidents.
- Consumer Protection: Creating a fair competitive environment and protecting the rights of customers using transportation services.
- Tax and Fee Collection: Truck decals are one of the tools for the government to manage and collect taxes and fees related to transportation activities.
Which Trucks Require Decals?
According to Decree 10/2020/ND-CP on business and conditions for business in road transport by car, not all trucks are required to have decals. The truck decal regulations clearly stipulate that the following commercial freight trucks must have decals:
- Trucks: Including box trucks, flatbed trucks, vans, and specialized cargo trucks. The decal displayed is “XE TẢI” (TRUCK).
- Tractor-trailers or semi-trailers: Container tractors and bulk cargo tractors are also subject to decal requirements. The decal displayed is “XE ĐẦU KÉO” (TRACTOR).
- Container Trucks: This type of truck specifically designed for container transport must also comply with decal regulations. The decal displayed is “XE CÔNG-TEN-NƠ” (CONTAINER TRUCK).
In addition, Decree 10/2020/ND-CP also stipulates that other types of commercial passenger vehicles also require decals, including:
- Fixed-route passenger vehicles (“XE TUYẾN CỐ ĐỊNH” – FIXED ROUTE).
- Shuttle buses (“XE TRUNG CHUYỂN” – SHUTTLE BUS).
- Buses (“XE BUÝT” – BUS).
- Taxis (“XE TAXI” – TAXI).
- Contract passenger vehicles (“XE HỢP ĐỒNG” – CONTRACT VEHICLE).
Image illustrating different types of truck decals according to regulations. Different types of Vietnamese truck decals
Decal Size and Color Regulations
Truck decal regulations also specify the size and color of the decals for easy identification and management. The standard size of a truck decal is currently:
- Length: 200 mm (±20 mm)
- Width: 100 mm (± 15 mm)
Regarding color, there is a distinction based on the operating distance of the vehicle:
- Vehicles operating over 300 km: The decal has a dark red border and lettering, a light blue background, and a watermark of a truck.
- Vehicles operating up to 300 km: The decal has a dark blue border and lettering, a light pink background, and a watermark of a truck.
Color regulations help authorities easily distinguish between types of transportation and the operating range of vehicles.
Truck Decal Validity Period
According to Clause 2, Article 22 of Decree 10/2020/ND-CP, truck decals do not have permanent validity but have a specific usage period. Truck decal regulations stipulate the validity period as follows:
- Decals for commercial freight vehicles and shuttle buses: Valid for 07 years or as requested by the transport business (the requested period is from 01 year to 07 years) and does not exceed the vehicle’s lifespan.
- “FIXED ROUTE” decals issued for vehicles used to alleviate passenger congestion during the Lunar New Year: Valid for no more than 30 days.
- “FIXED ROUTE” decals issued for public holidays, solar New Year, and national high school graduation exams, university and college entrance exams: Valid for no more than 10 days.
Therefore, for regular commercial freight trucks, the maximum validity of a decal is 7 years. Businesses need to pay attention to this deadline to carry out renewal or re-issuance procedures in a timely manner, avoiding business interruption.
Truck Decal Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
To obtain a truck decal, transport businesses and organizations need to follow these steps, complying with truck decal regulations and related provisions:
Step 1: Prepare and Submit the Application
The transport business needs to prepare a complete application and submit it to the Department of Transport where the Business Registration Certificate for Transportation was issued. The application includes:
- Decal application form: Using the form specified in Appendix V of Decree 10/2020/ND-CP.
- Copy of vehicle registration: Or a copy of the vehicle registration appointment slip from the registration authority.
- If the vehicle is not owned by the transport business: A copy of one of the following documents is required:
- A written vehicle lease agreement with an organization or individual.
- A service contract between a member and a cooperative or a business cooperation contract.
Businesses can submit applications directly, by mail, or through other appropriate methods as prescribed.
Step 2: Application Processing and Supplementation (If Necessary)
If the application is incomplete or requires modification or supplementation, the Department of Transport will notify the transport business within 01 working day from the date of receiving the application. Notification can be made directly, in writing, or through the online public service system.
Businesses need to refer to the notification to modify and supplement the application as requested.
Step 3: Receive Decal Issuance Results
Within 02 working days from the receipt of a complete and valid application, the Department of Transport will issue a decal for the truck as requested.
In case of refusal to issue a decal, the Department of Transport will respond in writing or through the online public service system, stating the reason.
Decal issuance results can be delivered directly, by mail, or through other appropriate methods.
Truck Decal Re-issuance: When and How?
Truck decal regulations also stipulate the re-issuance of decals in the following cases:
- Expired decal.
- Lost or damaged decal.
- Change of vehicle ownership.
- Change of transport business.
- Decal revocation or suspension.
The re-issuance procedure is similar to the new issuance procedure. However, in the case of re-issuance due to revocation or suspension, the application needs to include additional documents proving the rectification of the violation that caused the decal revocation or suspension.
Conclusion
Compliance with truck decal regulations is the responsibility of every business and individual operating in the transportation sector. Understanding the regulations, procedures, and acting in accordance with the law not only ensures the legality of your business operations but also contributes to building a safe, civilized, and efficient transportation environment. If you have any questions regarding truck decal regulations or other truck-related matters, please contact My Dinh Trucks for the best advice and support.
Reference:
- Decree 10/2020/ND-CP of the Government on business and conditions for business in road transport by car.
