On the afternoon of 26/6, Nguyen To An, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Register, announced that Circular 30/2026 from the Ministry of Construction, concerning vehicle registration and modification, has clarified the concept of "motor vehicle modification". Accordingly, components and parts designed, published, and supplied by the manufacturer will not be considered modifications if installed correctly and appropriately for the vehicle type.

Leaders of the Vietnam Register believe this regulation aligns with practical vehicle use and international practices. The accessories mentioned are all researched, designed, and published by the manufacturer; vehicle owners only install them according to the configurations permitted by the manufacturer, without self-fabricating or altering the vehicle's structure or technical specifications.

"These cases should not be considered vehicle modifications, and this will meet the expectations of the public and society", An said.

Exterior equipment in such cases includes changing front bumpers, rear bumpers, grilles, side skirts, fender flares, rear spoilers, and wheel arch covers according to manufacturer options. Replaced exterior equipment must be supplied by the manufacturer, ensuring that after installation, the vehicle's actual overall dimensions (length x width x height) do not exceed 100 mm compared to the original specifications; additionally, the basic mass must not exceed the permissible error as stipulated in national technical regulations.

A modified car model at Vietnam Mobility Show 2025 (VnMS). *Photo: Minh Quan*

The circular also stipulates that motor vehicles changing certain cargo box structures, such as sealing or altering cargo box doors, replacing flat metal sheeting with corrugated sheeting or vice versa; adding metal sheeting to the frame of a covered vehicle; installing or removing dust covers for dump truck cargo boxes, dump trailers, or semi-dump trailers; installing or removing cargo and luggage compartment covers for pickup trucks, adding side steps, decorative exhaust pipes, decorative protective strips for headlights and signal lights, spoilers, and wind deflectors, will also not be considered modifications.

According to Circular 30/2026, only cases that alter the vehicle's structure, system, assembly, or technical specifications beyond the manufacturer's published design will require modification procedures.

Previously, installing certain accessories on automobiles, even genuine ones, required vehicle owners to undergo modification certification procedures if it changed specific details on the vehicle. The new regulation will help reduce administrative procedures, saving time and costs for the public and businesses.

Cases not requiring re-inspection

Leaders of the Vietnam Register also stated that cases such as lost vehicle documents or changes in inspection cycles do not require vehicle re-inspection. Similarly, when vehicle owners remove or add manufacturer-supplied components, they can bring the vehicle to an inspection facility to update the information, without needing a full vehicle inspection.

"Procedures that only require document resolution do not necessitate vehicle inspection", An said.

From 1/7, the certification of motor vehicle modifications will be more stringent regarding personnel requirements. Only inspectors who have been certified for motor vehicle modification will be permitted to perform this task.

The registration authority assesses that Circular 30/2026, along with new regulations in the inspection field, will contribute to building a more transparent and modern inspection system, reducing administrative procedures while ensuring technical safety and environmental protection.

Anh Duy