According to the Traffic Police Department (CSGT), not every instance of an obscured vehicle license plate will result in a fine. During travel, if a license plate's characters or numbers become unreadable due to objective factors beyond the driver's control, the driver will not be penalized for "operating a vehicle with an unclear license plate".

Specifically, license plates may become covered in mud or dirt due to rainy weather, muddy roads, or adverse traffic conditions. In these unintentional situations, the CSGT will not fine drivers for operating vehicles with unclear license plates.

Furthermore, for vehicles in continuous motion, even on highways, drivers are not required to stop immediately to clean their license plates if there is no safe place to do so. In such circumstances, authorities will also not issue penalties.

However, once a vehicle has stopped its journey or reached a safe parking spot, the CSGT advises drivers to proactively clean their license plates. Continuing to operate a vehicle with an obscured license plate for an extended period, despite being aware of it, may be considered a violation.

A vehicle covered in mud with its license plate cleaned in Hanoi. Photo: Traffic Police Department.

The Traffic Police Department states that authorities will fine cases where license plates remain dirty for a long time or where drivers fail to clean them after stopping, even if they know the plate is obscured. When stopped for inspection, drivers can explain if they believe the cause was an objective factor. The CSGT will then verify the explanation using surveillance cameras, dashcams, and professional verification methods before deciding on a penalty.

Previously, a driver in Hanoi received a fine of 23 million VND and 6 license points deducted for having a rear license plate completely covered in mud and unreadable during a CSGT inspection on National Highway 32. The driver admitted knowing the vehicle's license plate had been obscured by mud for a long time, but stated that work commitments prevented him from washing the vehicle sooner. According to the Traffic Police Department, regulations against obscured license plates aim to prevent drivers from exploiting unclear plates to evade surveillance cameras, avoid identification during traffic violations, or engage in illegal activities.

Therefore, while some objective cases will not result in fines, drivers and vehicle owners must proactively ensure their license plates remain clear throughout their journey.

Ho Tan