Pickup trucks are increasingly popular in Vietnam, serving both cargo transportation and personal mobility needs. However, one of the concerns for many owners is the lifespan of pickup trucks. So, what is the maximum permitted usage duration for a pickup truck? What are the current legal regulations on this matter? The following article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình, a website specializing in trucks and pickup trucks, will provide the most detailed and comprehensive information.
Legal Regulations on Pickup Truck Lifespan
According to current regulations, the lifespan of automobiles in general, including pickup trucks, is governed by Decree 95/2009/ND-CP. Article 4 of this Decree clearly stipulates the lifespan for various types of cargo and passenger vehicles.
Specifically, for cargo vehicles, the lifespan is no more than 25 years. Meanwhile, passenger vehicles have a lifespan of no more than 20 years. So, to which category do pickup trucks belong, and what is their lifespan?
Pickup trucks are subject to the regulations on the lifespan of automobiles in Vietnam. (Image source: internet)
Pickup trucks are subject to vehicle lifespan regulations in Vietnam.
Are Pickup Trucks Considered Goods or Passenger Vehicles?
To determine the exact lifespan for pickup trucks, we need to understand how these vehicles are classified under the law. According to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 41:2019/BGTVT, pickup trucks are defined as vehicles with a permissible cargo mass for traffic participation of less than 950 kg.
It is noteworthy that QCVN 41:2019/BGTVT categorizes pickup trucks with a cargo mass under 950kg into the “passenger car” group in traffic organization. However, when considering lifespan, the classification of pickup trucks is based on the vehicle’s primary purpose of use.
If a pickup truck is registered and mainly used for cargo transportation, its lifespan will be 25 years, similar to trucks. Conversely, if the vehicle is primarily used for passenger transport and family travel, the lifespan will be 20 years, similar to passenger cars.
In reality, most pickup trucks in Vietnam today are registered as vehicles for both passenger and cargo transport, and are often used for both purposes. Therefore, determining the specific lifespan can be confusing.
How to Calculate Pickup Truck Lifespan
The starting point for calculating the lifespan of a pickup truck is stipulated in Article 5 of Decree 95/2009/ND-CP. Accordingly, the lifespan is calculated from the year of manufacture of the vehicle, not the year of first registration.
For example, if a pickup truck was manufactured in 2020 and first registered in 2021, its lifespan will be calculated from 2020. This means that if the vehicle falls under the category of cargo vehicles (25-year lifespan), it will reach the end of its lifespan in 2045.
However, Decree 95/2009/ND-CP also has provisions for special cases where the lifespan may be calculated from the year of first registration, but this requires permission from the Prime Minister. This scenario is very rare in practice.
Why is Pickup Truck Lifespan Important?
Understanding the lifespan of a pickup truck is crucial for vehicle owners for the following reasons:
- Legal compliance: Using a vehicle beyond its lifespan is a violation of the law and can result in administrative penalties, or even vehicle confiscation.
- Ensuring safety: Vehicles beyond their lifespan often deteriorate in quality, their safety systems are no longer guaranteed, and they pose a potential risk of traffic accidents.
- Vehicle value: Vehicles that have reached the end of their lifespan will depreciate significantly, making it difficult to resell or transfer ownership.
- Vehicle inspection (Đăng kiểm): Vehicles that have reached the end of their lifespan will not be allowed to undergo inspection and circulate on the roads.
Solutions for Pickup Truck Owners When Vehicles Approach Lifespan Limit
When your pickup truck is nearing its lifespan limit, you have several options:
- Sell the vehicle before it reaches its lifespan limit: This is the optimal solution to recover capital and avoid legal issues related to over-lifespan vehicles.
- Change the purpose of use (if applicable): In some cases, if the vehicle was initially registered as a cargo vehicle and is approaching its 25-year lifespan limit, but still has usable value, you may consider changing to personal use to be subject to the 20-year lifespan (although this process is quite complex and requires careful consideration).
- Dispose of the vehicle: If the vehicle is too old and no longer has usable value, disposing of it according to regulations is necessary to ensure legal compliance and environmental protection.
Conclusion:
The lifespan of a pickup truck is an important factor that owners need to understand to comply with the law, ensure safety, and optimize the vehicle’s usage value. Understanding the regulations, how to calculate lifespan, and solutions when the vehicle is nearing its lifespan limit will help owners make informed and appropriate decisions. Xe Tải Mỹ Đình hopes this article has provided you with useful information.
