The new Road Traffic Safety Law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025, outlines future requirements for emission testing on motorcycles and scooters. However, these regulations will not be implemented immediately for all vehicles.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) recently addressed a petition from voters in Ho Chi Minh City, who raised concerns about the impact of emission testing on older motorcycles that may not meet the standards.

No immediate emission testing for motorcycles in 2025

Ho Chi Minh City residents expressed worries that many motorcycles might fail the emission tests, preventing them from continuing to operate. They urged the MOT to provide solutions for vehicles that don’t meet the emission standards and offer support for disadvantaged individuals who rely on motorcycles for transportation.

The MOT responded by explaining that emission testing for motorcycles and scooters will be regulated under both the Law on Environmental Protection and the new Road Traffic Safety Law.

According to Article 42 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, “Motorcycles and scooters are subject to emission testing. This testing will follow environmental protection regulations and will be carried out at certified emission testing facilities.”

Additionally, Article 65 of the Law on Environmental Protection requires transportation vehicles to be tested and certified for compliance with environmental standards. Article 102 further stipulates that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) is responsible for coordinating with the MOT to propose a national emission standard for road vehicles in Vietnam.

As such, motorcycles currently in circulation will not be required to undergo emission testing immediately on January 1, 2025, when the law takes effect.

In response to concerns about supporting those unable to afford alternative transportation if their vehicles fail the tests, the MOT stated that the timeline is still under review by MONRE and other relevant agencies.

“The concerns raised by citizens will be a key consideration in the evaluation of policy impacts. The draft plan will be open to public feedback from individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders before it is submitted to the Prime Minister for approval,” the MOT confirmed.

The MOT also submitted an official document to MONRE, pledging close cooperation during the assessment of policy impacts to ensure appropriate measures are taken for vehicles that fail to meet emission standards. Additionally, they will explore ways to support disadvantaged individuals who may be affected, aiming to minimize the impact on their daily lives while balancing the interests of the community.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City lead in motorcycle numbers

According to the 2016 National Environmental Report, emissions from motor vehicles are the primary cause of pollution, with motorcycles contributing the largest share.

By the end of 2021, there were over 68 million motorcycles in circulation across the country, with Hanoi accounting for about 6 million, including nearly 3 million older motorcycles manufactured before 2000. Ho Chi Minh City had more than 9 million motorcycles.

A study on motorcycle emissions suggested that regular maintenance, as recommended by manufacturers, can help reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by up to 7%.

The Director of the Vietnam Register noted that while emission controls are already in place for newly imported and domestically produced motorcycles, older vehicles currently on the roads have not yet been subjected to such inspections.

In the future, authorities may consider a phased approach, where new motorcycles will be exempt from emission testing for the first 2-3 years, after which testing will be required. For older vehicles, the timeline for mandatory emission testing is still under consideration.

The Director also emphasized that the cost of emission testing would be minimal, and the process itself would take only a few minutes, causing little disruption to daily life.

N. Huyen