Will 4-seater cars carrying 5 people be fined in 2026?
Many drivers are wondering whether 4-seater cars carrying 5 people will be fined in 2026. This issue needs to be based on the number of people allowed to be transported recorded on the vehicle registration certificate or the certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection of the vehicle.
In case vehicle documents show that the vehicle is allowed to carry 5 people, including the driver, then carrying 5 people is not considered carrying more people than prescribed.
Conversely, if a vehicle is only allowed to carry 4 people but actually carries 5 people, the driver has carried more than 1 person compared to regulations. At that time, the vehicle operator may be fined according to Decree 168/2024/ND-CP.
Fines when cars carry more people
According to Clause 2, Article 20 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, drivers of passenger cars and passenger cars, except for buses, if carrying more than the permitted number of people of the vehicle, will be fined from 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND per person exceeding.
The total maximum fine for this act does not exceed 75 million VND.
Thus, in the case where a car is only allowed to carry 4 people but carries 5 people, the driver is considered to have carried more than 1 person. The fine may be 400,000-600,000 VND.
In addition to fines, vehicle drivers may also have their driver's license points deducted if they overload at a high level. Specifically, in cases of exceeding 50% to 100% of the number of people allowed to transport, 4 driver's license points will be deducted. In cases of exceeding 100% of the number of people allowed to transport, 10 driver's license points will be deducted.
Need to check the number of seats allowed to carry
In fact, the term "four-seater car" is sometimes just a common term used by people, not always coinciding with the technical information written on vehicle documents. Some vehicles are called 4 seats, but the registration and inspection certificate shows that the number of people allowed to be transported is 5 people, including the driver.
Therefore, to know whether a 4-seater car carrying 5 people will be fined or not, vehicle owners and drivers should check the information in the vehicle registration certificate, inspection certificate or related documents of the vehicle.
If the number of people sitting in the car does not exceed the number of people allowed to be transported, the driver will not be penalized for the offense of carrying more people than allowed. If exceeding the number of people allowed to be transported, the fine will be calculated according to the number of people exceeding according to the provisions of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP.
When participating in traffic, drivers also need to ensure the conditions according to the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, including being old enough, healthy enough, having a driver's license with points, valid and suitable for the type of vehicle being driven. Drivers also need to bring vehicle registration certificates, driver's licenses, inspection certificates and compulsory civil liability insurance certificates of motor vehicle owners as prescribed.
