Vietnam’s new traffic rules on child safety, drivers to take effect this year

Under Law No. 118/2025, which amends several laws related to security and public order, new child safety regulations for automobiles will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Children under 10 years old and shorter than 1.35 meters will no longer be allowed to sit in the front passenger seat next to the driver, unless the vehicle is designed with only one row of seats.

In addition, children must use appropriate safety devices such as child safety seats or child safety belts.

Drivers who violate these rules face fines ranging from VND800,000 (US$31) to VND1 million ($38).

These requirements, however, do not apply to vehicles used for commercial passenger transport.

School transport faces stricter rules

For vehicles transporting preschool and elementary school children, Government Decree 168/2024 mandates that from January 1, 2026, all such vehicles must be equipped with age-appropriate safety belts or child seats.

Violations can result in fines of VND3 million ($114) to VND4 million ($152) for individuals and VND6 million ($228) to VND8 million ($304) for organizations.

Drivers also face additional fines of VND1 million ($38) to VND2 million ($76).

All child safety devices must comply with Vietnam’s national standard by which child restraint systems are designed to protect children in seated or lying positions in cars by limiting body movement during collisions or sudden deceleration.

Changes to drivers’ working hours

Law No. 118/2025 also revises provisions of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, removing the fixed cap on total daily driving hours.

From July 1 this year, drivers are not allowed to drive continuously for more than four hours without a break, except in force majeure or objectively unavoidable circumstances.

Daily and weekly working hours will instead follow the Labor Code.

This means the current rule limiting drivers to a maximum of 10 driving hours per day will be abolished.

Standard working hours will be capped at eight hours per day and 48 hours per week.

Under weekly work arrangements, drivers may work up to 10 hours in a single day, provided total weekly hours do not exceed 48.

Drivers who operate vehicles continuously for more than four hours without a minimum 15-minute break can be fined VND3 million ($114) to VND5 million ($190), have two points deducted from their 12-point driver’s license, and face possible license suspension of one to three months.

Employers or vehicle owners can also be fined between VND4 million ($152) and VND12 million ($456), depending on whether they are individuals or organizations.

Expanded access to CE driver’s licenses

Another notable change under Law No. 118/2025 is the expansion of eligibility for upgrading to a CE-class driver’s license, effective July 1, 2026.

Previously limited to holders of class C licenses, the new rule allows drivers with D1, D2, and D licenses to enroll in training programs to upgrade to class CE.

A CE license permits drivers to operate heavy trucks towing trailers over 750 kilograms, as well as tractor units pulling semi-trailers.

This change is expected to help bus and coach drivers, who typically hold D-class licenses, shorten training time when transitioning to tractor-trailers and container trucks, easing labor shortages in long-haul freight transport.