On 26/3, the government issued Decree 81/2026, which regulates administrative penalties in the railway traffic sector, effective from 15/5/2026. The introduction of this decree simultaneously repeals Decree 100/2019 in its entirety.
Decree 100, issued in 2019, regulated administrative penalties in both road and railway traffic sectors. It covered violations, fine levels, remedial measures, and enforcement authority.
A notable aspect of Decree 100 was its strict penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, based on the principle of zero tolerance for any alcohol concentration in the body while operating a vehicle. Fines increased progressively with each violation threshold. For instance, oto drivers could face fines up to 30-40 million VND, and moto riders 6-8 million VND, along with temporary driving license suspension.
Between 2019 and 2025, the high penalties and strict enforcement under this decree significantly changed road user behavior, fostering a habit of limiting alcohol consumption when driving.
The Traffic Police Department affirmed that the repeal of Decree 100 does not mean an end to penalties, but rather a separation of regulations by sector.
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Traffic police on Pham Hung street in Hanoi. Photo: Traffic Police Department
In the road sector, Decree 168, effective from 1/1/2025, replaced most of Decree 100's penalty provisions. This decree maintains the zero-tolerance principle for alcohol concentration while driving and introduces a driving license point deduction system, with a maximum of 12 points. Drivers who lose all points must retake their driving test. This point management mechanism, replacing temporary license revocation, marks a significant change.
On 22/12/2025, the government further issued Decree 336, which regulates administrative penalties for road activities, refining the penalty system and separating it from the railway sector.
Thus, the traffic penalty system has transitioned from a comprehensive decree to specialized decrees. Road and railway sectors are now regulated separately, with alcohol concentration regulations and the driving license management mechanism continuously maintained and strengthened.
Viet An
