Are 2005 trucks still road legal? How is the lifespan of a 2005 truck calculated? These are common questions from owners of older trucks. This article will provide detailed answers about the 2005 truck lifespan based on current Vietnamese regulations.
Old truck illustration (Source: Internet)
Understanding Truck Lifespan
According to Article 3 of Decree 95/2009/ND-CP, the lifespan of a vehicle is the permitted duration of its use. A truck is defined as a vehicle mainly structured and equipped for transporting goods.
Clause 1 of Article 3 of Circular 21/2010/TT-BGTVT provides further guidance on trucks, including: common trucks with open cargo beds (possibly covered), tipper trucks, trucks with cranes, trucks with lifting equipment, insulated trucks, refrigerated trucks, cargo pick-ups (single or double cabin), and VAN trucks.
What is the Lifespan of a 2005 Truck?
According to Clause 1 of Article 4 of Decree 95/2009/ND-CP, the lifespan of a goods-carrying vehicle shall not exceed 25 years.
Therefore, for a truck manufactured in 2005, the lifespan calculation begins from the year of manufacture. Thus, as of 2023, the 2005 truck has been in use for 18 years. The truck still has 7 years of use remaining according to regulations (25 years – 18 years = 7 years).
How to Determine a Truck’s Lifespan
Article 7 of Circular 21/2010/TT-BGTVT stipulates that the determination of a vehicle’s lifespan is based on the following information, in order of priority:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Chassis number.
- Technical documents: Catalog, technical specifications handbook, identification software, or information from the manufacturer.
- Information on the manufacturer’s label attached or affixed to the vehicle.
- Archival records: Certificate of quality, factory quality inspection sheet (for domestically produced vehicles), inspection or acceptance report, certificate of quality of modified motor vehicles (for modified vehicles), original records managed by the public security agency, import documents.
If the truck lacks at least one of the documents, records, or bases mentioned above, it will be considered to be past its lifespan.
When Does the Truck Lifespan Start?
According to Article 5 of Decree 95/2009/ND-CP, the lifespan of a vehicle is calculated from the year of manufacture of the vehicle.
However, in certain special cases permitted by the Prime Minister, the lifespan may be calculated from the year of first registration of the vehicle. This scenario is very rare and requires a separate decision.
Conclusion
2005 trucks still have a valid lifespan according to current regulations. However, owners should regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles to ensure they are always in good and safe operating condition. Understanding the regulations regarding truck lifespan helps owners to proactively manage inspections, registrations, and avoid legal risks.
