HÀ NỘI — According to estimates, there are more than 24,400 cars and trucks with expired registration as of January 1, 2018, according to the Việt Nam Register.

The figure includes more than 21,800 trucks used for transporting cargo and over 2,600 cars for transporting passengers.

The Việt Nam Register has published a list of almost-outdated cars on its website vr.org.vn for relevant agencies and vehicles owners to check.

Trần Kỳ Hình, head of Việt Nam Register, told Đầu tư (Investment) online newspaper that  many outdated cars were still being driven on roads, posing a high risk of traffic accidents and environment pollution.

The use of cars with expired registration also violated the Government regulation, he said.

The law stipulates that vehicles used for transporting goods cannot be used for more than 25 years following production. The time limit for buses is 20 years.

At the end of a vehicle’s legal life, car owners are supposed visit their local registration offices so that the paperwork can be revoked and the car destroyed.

Officials rely on a car owner’s goodwill to turn their cars in.

The fine for breaking the law is only VNĐ4-6 million (US$187 - $280), according to a decree issued in 2013.

Apart from the administrative fine, violators will have their vehicles confiscated and have their driving license revoked between one and three months.

The Việt Nam Register has sent the list of outdated cars to relevant agencies and asked traffic police and transport inspectors nationwide monitor violators to ensure traffic safety. — VNS