On July 29, 2025, the Ministry of Justice unveiled the appraisal dossier for a draft law that proposes significant amendments to several articles across 10 laws related to security and public order, primarily drafted by the Ministry of Public Security. Among these laws is the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, which has been in effect since January 1, 2025.
One of the most notable proposed changes concerns the regulations governing the working hours of commercial vehicle drivers in Vietnam. Current law restricts drivers to a maximum of 10 hours of driving per day and 48 hours per week, with a continuous driving limit of no more than 4 hours. However, the Ministry of Public Security is pushing to remove the fixed daily and weekly driving limits, suggesting instead that driving hours align with the Labor Code's provisions on working time. The continuous driving limit of 4 hours would remain intact.
This proposal follows numerous requests from the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association and transport businesses, who argue that the existing regulations are out of step with international standards and pose practical challenges. According to the Ministry of Public Security, these fixed limits complicate transport operations and driver scheduling, especially during peak seasons when demand surges.
Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen, Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, expressed strong support for the proposed amendments. He remarked, "Removing this limit is necessary for businesses to increase driver working hours, especially during peak seasons." He further suggested that penalties should only apply if drivers exceed the regulated driving time by more than 10-15%, acknowledging that drivers sometimes cannot reach rest stops exactly on schedule due to factors beyond their control.
Under the Labor Code, workers are permitted to work up to 48 hours per week, with an allowance of up to 300 overtime hours annually. This framework is seen as more flexible and better suited to the transport sector's demands, particularly during periods of high freight and passenger volumes.
The Hanoi Logistics Association (HNLA) provided data highlighting the practical implications of the current limits. Previously, drivers engaged in short-distance transport (under 300 kilometers) worked approximately 60-65 hours per week, while those in long-distance transport (over 300 kilometers) often exceeded 65 hours weekly. The current regulations have effectively reduced driver working hours by 20-30% for short-distance and over 30% for long-distance operations.
HNLA warns that these reductions have tangible economic consequences. Driver incomes have shrunk by 20-30%, the capacity of road transport services has decreased by a similar margin, and freight rates have surged by 20-25%. This combination has led to an estimated 10-11% increase in national logistics costs, undermining the competitiveness of Vietnam's economy.
International comparisons underscore Vietnam's relatively strict limits. For instance, the European Union caps driver working hours at 56 hours per week, the United States allows between 60 and 70 hours weekly, and Japan permits up to 60 hours. HNLA argues that Vietnam's current limits are low, especially considering the country's road infrastructure challenges, including poor road quality, traffic congestion, and a lack of adequate rest stops. These factors exacerbate the difficulties of adhering to the 48-hour weekly limit and result in inefficiencies and wasted investments in transport vehicles.
Beyond working hours, the Ministry of Public Security is also proposing enhanced vehicle monitoring measures. The draft law would require commercial transport vehicles to be equipped with devices that record images of the driver and, for vehicles carrying eight or more passengers (excluding the driver), cameras to capture the passenger compartment. Internal transport vehicles would also need to install both journey monitoring devices and driver image recording equipment.
These measures aim to tighten management of commercial and internal transport vehicles, serving multiple purposes: ensuring compliance with traffic laws, preventing social order violations, and aiding in crime detection and prevention. For instance, recorded footage could identify drivers using phones or other electronic devices while driving, failing to wear seat belts, driving without hands on the steering wheel, or even using feet to steer the vehicle. It could also detect altercations between passengers and drivers or help trace criminals transported in commercial vehicles.
Additionally, the Ministry proposes stricter penalties related to driver licensing. If a person is found to have committed fraud in obtaining, exchanging, or renewing their driver's license, the license would be revoked. This move targets the rampant issue of buying and selling fake driver's licenses, which has become increasingly common in recent years.
The transport industry has welcomed these proposed changes. Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen conveyed the relief and optimism among association members, stating, "We are very grateful to the drafting agency for listening and proposing adjustments. We hope the draft will be approved soon so that everyone can feel assured." Industry experts, business owners, and drivers have echoed this sentiment, viewing the amendments as a step toward more practical and internationally aligned regulations.
While the continuous driving limit of 4 hours remains, the shift to align daily and weekly driving hours with labor laws recognizes the complexities of modern transport work. It offers flexibility during high-demand periods without compromising safety standards.
Vietnam's transport sector stands at a crossroads where balancing safety, economic viability, and international competitiveness is crucial. These proposed legal changes reflect a nuanced approach to achieving that balance, responding to industry feedback and international benchmarks while maintaining essential safety safeguards.
