Penalties for not transferring ownership of motorcycles and cars in Vietnam outlined by the Ministry of Public Security

A citizen asked the Ministry of Public Security about the fine and procedures for transferring ownership of a motorcycle purchased in 2021 using a handwritten sale note, without a formal sales contract. The citizen said the previous owner cannot be contacted and that they only have the vehicle registration certificate and the handwritten sale document. The commune police advised that riding a motorcycle not under the owner’s name would involve a “fairly high fine” and additional fees for transferring to a new registration plate, but the citizen requested the exact fine amount and the steps, documents, and process for their case.

Legal basis for vehicle ownership transfer

The Ministry of Public Security said that the procedure for transferring ownership should be followed under Article 32 of Circular 79/2024/TT-BCA dated 15/11/2024, which regulates the issuing and revoking of vehicle registration certificates and license plates.

Article 32: Resolving registration transfer for vehicles changed ownership through multiple organizations and individuals

1. Initiating revocation and transfer

The organization or individual currently using the vehicle must go to the vehicle registration authority that manages the vehicle records to initiate revocation. Then, proceed to the vehicle registration authority where the current user is registered to process the transfer of ownership.

2. Revocation filing

Prepare the documents specified in Article 16(1) of Circular 79.

3. Revocation procedures

a) If the current user has ownership transfer documents from the vehicle owner and from the seller

• Within 2 working days from the date the registration authority completes revocation and accepts full files, the competent authority records an administrative violation against the vehicle owner and applies penalties in accordance with the law.
• The organization or individual using the vehicle signs the administrative violation record as a witness and signs related documents.
• The authority then issues the revocation certificate and license plate as required.

b) If the current user does not have ownership transfer documents from the owner and from the last seller

• After receiving full revocation files, the competent authority records an administrative violation against the vehicle owner and applies penalties.
• The organization or individual using the vehicle signs the administrative violation record as a witness.
• The vehicle registration authority issues a replacement registration certificate and license plate valid for 30 days to use the vehicle.
• Within 2 working days, the vehicle registration authority must notify the owner, publicly post at the office, check theft and registration data, and verify.
• After 30 days, if there is no dispute, the competent authority processes administrative penalties and then issues the revocation certificate and license plate as provided.

Fees and transfer process

The Ministry stated that fees and procedures for transferring ownership are implemented as provided in Article 16(2) and Article 17 of Circular 79.

Responsibilities for missing vehicle and evidence data

Regarding responsibilities of units managing missing vehicle and vehicle evidence data, the Ministry said that within 7 working days from the date of receiving the vehicle registration office’s request for verification, the data management unit must respond in writing to the vehicle registration office.

Penalties for not completing ownership transfer procedures

The Ministry noted that penalties are set out in Article 32 of Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP dated 26/12/2024 on administrative violations in road traffic, excluding license restoration. Specifically:

• For individuals: a fine from 800,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND.
• For organizations as the owner of motorcycles and similar vehicles: a fine from 1,600,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND for not performing procedures to register the vehicle or license plates when ownership changes, and for not performing procedures to update the registration certificate or license plate as required.
• For individuals owning cars (including trailers and similar vehicles) and similar motorized vehicles: a fine from 4,000,000 VND to 6,000,000 VND.
• For organizations: a fine from 8,000,000 VND to 12,000,000 VND for not performing procedures for revoking the registration, license plate, safety and environmental certificate as required; not performing procedures to register or transfer ownership as required, etc.

Source: Pham Ngan

According to VTV – 04/15/2026 06:05 (GMT+7)