On 30/4, the Hanoi City People's Committee issued Decision 52/2026, amending Decision 01/2026, to permit pickup trucks to operate all day within inner-city areas, lifting previous time-based restrictions. Following this announcement, many drivers questioned whether this change meant pickup trucks would now be classified as passenger cars for traffic purposes.

In reality, this change solely pertains to operating hours and does not alter the classification of vehicles for traffic management. Current regulations on vehicle classification, outlined in Circular 53/2024 for road traffic vehicles and QCVN 41/2024 from the Ministry of Transport, categorize pickup trucks into two types: pickup passenger cars or pickup trucks. The Traffic Police Department advises vehicle owners to consult their inspection certificates, specifically the "vehicle type" and "total mass," to ascertain their vehicle's classification.

A Toyota Hilux drives on a Hanoi street. *Photo: Minh Quan*

Most popular pickup models on the market today, including the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Navara, are classified as "double-cab pickup trucks." However, a limited number of pickups, such as certain Ford Ranger Raptor model years and the Ram TRX 1500, are categorized as pickup passenger cars.

Under these regulations, pickup trucks are prohibited from roads marked with "no trucks" signs. Similarly, on roads with lane segregation by vehicle type, such as highways featuring distinct lanes for trucks and passenger cars, pickup trucks must adhere to the lanes designated for trucks.

However, observations indicate that on some highways, numerous pickup trucks continue to use the leftmost lane, which is reserved for passenger cars and prohibits trucks, often without incurring penalties.

This discrepancy has fueled discussions among drivers and pickup truck owners, many of whom advocate for clearer regulations regarding the operational scope of these vehicles. Some voices support allowing pickup trucks to operate similarly to passenger cars, a concept previously outlined in QCVN 41/2019. Conversely, others argue for maintaining their truck classification to ensure uniformity in traffic management.

The Hanoi City People's Committee's new decision seeks to address the long-standing issue of pickup trucks being used as personal vehicles but regulated as trucks. Lifting time restrictions offers users greater convenience for daily life and business operations. However, many central streets, ring roads, and main arteries in Hanoi still display "no trucks" signs to mitigate congestion and enhance traffic safety. Consequently, pickup truck drivers must remain vigilant and adhere to these regulations to avoid penalties.

Pham Hai