To ensure your truck is legally allowed to operate on the road, periodic vehicle inspection is a mandatory procedure under Vietnamese law. So, when does a truck need to be inspected every 3 months? This is an important question that every vehicle owner and driver needs to understand to avoid legal issues and ensure safe vehicle operation.
Truck inspection sticker indicating the next inspection date
Why Do Trucks Need Regular Inspections?
Truck inspection is not just an administrative procedure, but also provides many practical benefits, ensuring safety for you and the community:
- Ensuring technical safety: The inspection process helps check and evaluate the technical condition of the vehicle, ensuring that important parts such as the braking system, steering, lights, horn… operate effectively and safely.
- Complying with the law: Inspection is a mandatory requirement of the law for motor vehicles. Vehicles with valid inspection certificates are allowed to circulate on the road.
- Reducing the risk of accidents: Vehicles that are inspected regularly will reduce the risk of technical problems, contributing to limiting traffic accidents due to vehicle defects.
- Protecting the environment: Checking emissions during the inspection process helps ensure the vehicle meets emission standards, contributing to environmental protection.
When Does a Truck Need to Be Inspected Every 3 Months?
According to current regulations of the Ministry of Transport, the inspection period for trucks depends on many factors, including the year of manufacture and vehicle type. Trucks must be inspected every 3 months in the following cases:
Detailed Regulations on Truck Inspection Periods
To better understand when a truck needs a 3-month inspection, we need to consider the detailed regulations on truck inspection periods according to each type and usage time:
- Trucks manufactured over 20 years ago (calculated from the year of manufacture): This is the group of vehicles with the longest usage time and potential technical safety risks. Therefore, trucks over 20 years old must be inspected every 3 months.
- Trucks that have been modified or have changed their structure: Trucks that have been modified or have changed their original structure (for example, changing the size of the truck bed, brake system, steering system…) may also be subject to a shorter inspection cycle. Usually, the first inspection for modified trucks is 12 months, and the subsequent inspections are every 6 months. However, depending on the level of modification and the assessment of the inspection center, a 3-month cycle may also be applied.
- Some special cases: In some other special cases, authorities may require trucks to be inspected with a shorter cycle of 6 months or 3 months to ensure safety.
Summary table of common truck inspection periods:
| Truck type | First inspection period | Subsequent inspection cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Trucks, specialized vehicles, tractor trucks manufactured under 7 years | 24 months | 12 months |
| Trucks, specialized vehicles, tractor trucks manufactured from 7 years to 20 years | 12 months | 6 months |
| Trucks, tractor trucks manufactured over 20 years | 3 months | 3 months |
| Trailers, semi-trailers manufactured under 12 years | 24 months | 12 months |
| Trailers, semi-trailers manufactured over 12 years | 6 months | 6 months |
| Trucks, specialized vehicles, tractor trucks, trailers, semi-trailers that have been modified | 12 months | 6 months |
Important notes:
- The inspection period is calculated from the date of manufacture, not the date of first registration.
- To know exactly when your truck needs to be inspected every 3 months or the specific inspection cycle, you should check your current inspection certificate or contact the motor vehicle inspection center directly.
- Regulations on inspection periods may change over time. Therefore, vehicle owners need to update information regularly from official sources of authorities.
Truck Inspection Procedures (2024 Update)
To ensure that the truck inspection process is smooth and fast, you need to prepare all the necessary documents and follow these steps:
1. Prepare the inspection file:
- Vehicle documents:
- Original vehicle registration certificate or notarized copy (in case of bank mortgage).
- Old inspection certificate (if any).
- Vehicle owner’s personal documents:
- Original identity card/citizen identification card.
- Other documents (if any):
- Compulsory civil liability insurance still valid.
- Documents proving the origin of the vehicle (if it is the first inspection or the vehicle is imported).
- Vehicle modification records (if the vehicle has been modified).
2. Bring the vehicle to the inspection center:
- Choose the nearest or most convenient motor vehicle inspection center for you.
- Make sure the vehicle is clean and all parts are working properly before bringing it for inspection.
3. Perform the inspection steps at the center:
- Submit the file and wait for your name to be called: Submit the inspection file to the receiving officer and wait for your turn to be inspected.
- Vehicle inspection: The vehicle will be inspected according to the technical process, including:
- General inspection: Shape, size, license plate, lights, horn, wipers, rearview mirrors…
- Inspection of the upper part of the vehicle: Steering system, braking system, suspension system, chassis…
- Inspection of the lower part of the vehicle: Engine, gearbox, transmission system, emissions…
- Pay the inspection fee and certificate issuance fee: After the vehicle meets the inspection standards, you will pay the fees according to regulations.
- Receive the inspection certificate and inspection stamp: The inspection officer will issue a new inspection certificate and an inspection stamp to be pasted on the front windshield of the vehicle.
4. Affix the inspection stamp:
- Affix the inspection stamp in the prescribed position on the front windshield of the vehicle.
- Keep the inspection certificate carefully for presentation when necessary.
Truck inspection process at an inspection center
Truck Inspection Costs (Year 2024)
Truck inspection costs are regulated by the Ministry of Finance and vary depending on the type of vehicle and its load capacity. Below is a reference fee table (updated according to Circular 55/2022/TT-BTC):
| STT | Vehicle type for inspection
