Truck conversion – Latest regulations and procedures update

Truck Conversion – Latest Regulations and Procedures Update

Truck conversion is a solution to optimize the functionality of vehicles, but to implement it, vehicle owners must comply with strict regulations regarding procedures and documentation. This article provides the latest information on the truck conversion process, including requirements, conditions, and necessary regulations to help you follow the law and save time.

What is Truck Conversion? The Purpose of Truck Conversion

Truck conversion is the process of adjusting or changing the structure, size, or function of a truck compared to its original design. This may include altering the size of the truck bed, installing a new cargo box, upgrading the engine, drivetrain system, or making other improvements to meet specific usage needs.

The purposes of truck conversion include:

• Meeting diverse needs: Conversion allows the truck to serve different purposes in fields like agriculture, construction, freight transport, etc.
• Improving operational efficiency: Upgrades to the engine or drivetrain system help the truck operate more efficiently, saving fuel.
• Increasing transport capacity: Adjusting the truck bed size and load capacity helps transport goods more appropriately in terms of weight and size.

However, truck conversion must comply with legal regulations to ensure the safety of both the driver and other vehicles on the road. Changes must be carried out at certified facilities and meet the required technical standards.

Types of Truck Conversion

According to Circular 85/2014/TT-BGTVT, truck conversion is classified into specific types as follows:

• Truck bed conversion: Changing the size, shape, structure, or material of the truck bed to meet the specific requirements for transporting goods.
• Drivetrain system conversion: Includes changes in the structure, shape, size, and power of components in the drivetrain system such as the engine, gearbox, and axle to enhance the truck’s performance.
• Electrical and electronic system conversion: Modifying and adjusting the structure, power, size, or shape of the electrical and electronic systems in the truck to improve performance or meet specific requirements.
• Equipment conversion: Changing the equipment installed on the truck, including adjustments to functionality, size, shape, and structure to serve different purposes.

Latest Regulations on Truck Conversion

To ensure road safety and legal compliance, truck conversions must follow the regulations outlined in Circular 43/2023/TT-BGTVT, amending Circular 85/2014/TT-BGTVT, effective from February 15, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Transport. Specifically:

• The suspension, steering, and braking systems cannot be modified, except under certain conditions.
• Trailers cannot be converted into other types of vehicles, except for specialized vehicles.
• Modifications to tire sizes, axles, wheelbase, and track width of motor vehicles are prohibited unless specified conditions are met.
• Lengthening or raising the height of trucks is not permitted, except for conversions into specialized vehicles or changes to the front and rear panels of passenger vehicles.
• The truck bed dimensions and the volume of tankers cannot be increased, except when converting to another vehicle type.
• The load capacity of the truck after conversion must not exceed the original design capacity.
• Trucks after conversion must comply with the technical specifications set out in Circular 42/2014/TT-BGTVT.
• Recycled components, such as used drivetrain systems, should not be used in truck conversions, except for specialized equipment or engines.
• Trucks transporting hazardous materials, such as tankers, must be certified for quality and technical safety by competent authorities.

Conditions for Truck Conversion

To convert a truck, the vehicle must meet the following specific conditions:

• Vehicle Age: The truck should have been in use for less than 15 years since production. For specialized vehicles converted to other types, the usage period should be more than 5 years. For imported trucks that haven’t been used before, the truck must have been in operation for over 6 months since passing the technical safety inspection.
• Vehicle Condition: The truck must have an intact chassis, engine, drivetrain, and steering system, all in working order without significant damage or wear that could compromise safety.
• Required Documentation:
  • A valid certificate of technical safety inspection and environmental protection.
  • Vehicle registration and ownership certificate.
  • Manufacturer’s technical documentation.
• Additional Requirements:
  • The truck must be registered and have a license plate.
  • The truck must meet technical safety and environmental protection standards.
  • The truck should not fall under the prohibited categories specified in Circular 85/2014/TT-BGTVT.

These conditions ensure that the truck will be safe and efficient after conversion.

Procedures for Truck Conversion

The truck conversion process is carried out through the following steps:

1. Prepare Documentation: Prepare the following documents for truck conversion:
   • Application for vehicle modification (as per the prescribed form).
   • Copy of the vehicle registration.
   • Copy of the valid technical safety and environmental protection certificate.
   • Conversion design blueprint (as per the prescribed form).
2. Submit the Documentation: The vehicle owner submits the documents to the competent registration agency for review.
3. Design Evaluation: The registration agency will evaluate the truck conversion design. The review process typically takes 10 working days.
4. Design Approval: If the design is approved, the vehicle owner will receive a design evaluation certificate.
5. Conversion Implementation: The vehicle owner proceeds with the conversion as per the approved design.
6. Technical Inspection and Environmental Protection: After conversion, the vehicle must undergo a technical inspection to ensure it meets safety and environmental standards.
7. Vehicle Registration: Once the truck passes inspection, the vehicle owner must take the truck to the registration authority to register the converted vehicle.

The truck conversion certificate is valid for a maximum of 12 months. If the vehicle owner wishes to continue using the truck after this period, re-registration is required.

Penalties for Improper Truck Bed Conversion

Improper conversion of the truck bed can not only compromise road safety but also violate the law. According to the current regulations, failing to comply with truck conversion requirements will result in penalties based on the severity of the violation.

Under Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, if a truck bed conversion violates regulations, the fine will range from 2,000,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND.

According to Article 30 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP (amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP), if a truck with an incorrectly modified bed operates on the road with technical specifications that do not match the safety inspection certificate, the following penalties apply:

• Vehicle owner: A fine ranging from 6,000,000 VND to 8,000,000 VND for individuals and from 12,000,000 VND to 16,000,000 VND for organizations.
• Driver: A fine ranging from 2,000,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND.

In addition to the fines, both individuals and organizations may face suspension of their driver’s license (for the vehicle driver) or certificate of legal knowledge of road traffic (for specialized vehicle drivers) for a period ranging from 1 to 3 months.

We hope this article helps you understand the current regulations, procedures, and penalties related to truck conversion, ensuring safety and legal compliance when modifying your vehicle. For more detailed information or assistance, feel free to contact An Thái for advice and guidance.