Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT guiding the management and issuance of special circulation permits for overloaded vehicles, oversized vehicles, and tracked vehicles on roads

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for managing and issuing special permits for overweight vehicles, oversized vehicles, and tracked vehicles on public roads
vehicle with caterpillar tracks on roads

Pursuant to Decree No. 22/CP dated March 22, 1994 of the Government on the tasks, powers, responsibilities for state management, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to Article 22 of the Law on Protection of Transport Infrastructure dated December 2, 1994;

Pursuant to Article 19 and Article 26 of the Road Traffic Regulations and Urban Traffic Regulations issued together with Decree No. 36/CP dated May 29, 1995 of the Government;

Considering the current status of the bridge and road system;

The Ministry of Transport hereby provides guidelines for managing and issuing special permits for overweight vehicles, oversized vehicles, and tracked vehicles as follows:

1. General provisions:

1.1. Overweight vehicles, oversized vehicles when operating on public roads, and tracked vehicles when self-propelled on public roads must have a special permit for circulation (SPPC) issued by the competent traffic management authority.

1.2. An overweight vehicle is a vehicle according to the manufacturer's design or a modified design approved by the competent authority (collectively referred to as the manufacturer's design) that has an axle load (shortened as axle load) or total weight including the vehicle's own weight plus cargo weight (shortened as gross weight) exceeding the load-bearing capacity of bridges and roads.

1.3. An oversized vehicle is a vehicle according to the manufacturer's design or when a vehicle is loaded with cargo exceeding the permitted dimensions of bridges and roads.

1.4. SPPCs shall only be issued to overweight vehicles, oversized vehicles when transporting goods that cannot be disassembled, cut apart, or divided such as machinery sets, equipment, intact cargo items (including containers), and tanker trucks (tanker vehicles) carrying liquids that must be fully loaded to ensure safety, causing the weight or size to exceed regulations.

1.5. Specialized vehicles when self-propelled on public roads with a gross weight or size exceeding the regulations of bridges and roads shall be considered as overweight vehicles or oversized vehicles.

1.6. Strictly prohibit vehicle owners (or drivers) from transporting goods exceeding the permissible weight according to the manufacturer's design.

1.7. Issuing SPPCs must be based on ensuring safe operation of the vehicle and safety of road transport infrastructure, while helping vehicle owners choose reasonable routes.

1.8. To reduce the number of overweight and oversized vehicles operating on roads, encourage shippers and vehicle owners to utilize rail and waterway transportation for oversized and overweight cargo.

1.9. Main procedures for issuing SPPCs must ensure principles of speed, efficiency, strictness, and compliance with regulations.

2. Provisions on weight and size when issuing SPPCs

2.1. On weight:

2.1.1. The scope of limits on gross weight for SPPC issuance is specifically defined for seven common types of motor vehicles as follows:

Type 1: Two single axles vehicle (Illustration No. 1 - Appendix 1):

Above 16 tons to 18 tons.

This provision applies only when issuing SPPCs for specialized vehicles with two single axles self-propelled on public roads, not applicable to two single axle vehicles used for cargo transportation. For cargo transportation vehicles with two single axles, the maximum gross weight allowed is 16 tons. SPPCs will not be issued for two single axle vehicles carrying cargo exceeding the gross weight limit of 16 tons.

Type 2: Three axles, including:

Vehicle with dual steering axles at the front and a single axle at the rear

(Illustration No. 2a - Appendix 1)

Vehicle with single steering axle at the front and dual axles at the rear

(Illustration No. 2b - Appendix 1): Above 21 tons to 24 tons.

Type 3: Four axles with both front and rear axles being dual axles

(Illustration No. 3 - Appendix 1): Above 28 tons to 30 tons

Type 4: Tractor-trailer combination with three single axles, where the tractor has two single axles and the trailer has one single axle (Illustration No. 4 - Appendix 1): Above 24 tons to 26 tons.

Type 5: Tractor-trailer combination with four axles, including:

Tractor with two single axles and trailer with one dual axle (Illustration No. 5a - Appendix 1)

Tractor with one single axle at the front, one dual axle at the rear and trailer with one single axle (Illustration No. 5b - Appendix 1): Above 30 tons to 32 tons.

Type 6: Tractor-trailer combination with five axles, where the tractor has one single axle at the front, one dual axle at the rear and the trailer has one dual axle (Illustration No. 6 - Appendix 1): Above 36 tons to 38 tons.

Type 7: Tractor-trailer combination with six axles, where the tractor has one single axle at the front, one dual axle at the rear and the trailer has a triple axle with the distance between the outermost axles of the triple axle greater than 260 cm (Illustration No. 7 - Appendix 1): Above 42.5 tons to 45.5 tons.

2.1.2. For trailers or other combinations towed by vehicles, they must satisfy the following two conditions simultaneously:

Axle load: For single axles not exceeding 10 tons; for dual axles not exceeding 16 tons; for triple axles not exceeding 21 tons.

Gross weight: Not exceeding the design of the manufacturer.

SPPCs will not be issued for trailers or other combinations towed by vehicles exceeding the above provisions.

2.2. On size

The scope of limits on size for SPPC issuance for oversized vehicles is as follows:

Width of the vehicle itself: above 2.5m to 2.65m.

Height: From ground level to the top height of the vehicle itself or

height when loaded: above 3.5m to 4.2m.

The length of the vehicle and the length when loaded must comply with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 13 and Clause 1, Article 26 of the Road Traffic Regulations and Urban Traffic Regulations issued together with Decree No. 36/CP dated May 29, 1995 of the Government.

For vehicles loaded beyond the cargo bed, secure and firmly fasten the cargo to ensure stability of the vehicle and cargo during transportation.

2.3. Vehicles with a gross weight below the minimum threshold specified in Point 2.1 or with a size below the minimum threshold specified in Point 2.2 above when operating on public roads do not need to apply for SPPC but must comply with traffic signs and directions.

2.4. In cases where vehicles are not required to obtain a Heavy-Duty Transport Permit as stipulated in point 2.3 above, but when operating on specific routes or sections where the load-bearing capacity or dimensions of the road bridges cannot be guaranteed, they must still go to the issuing authority for examination and guidance.

2.5. Vehicles that exceed the weight limit or dimensions specified in points 2.1 and 2.2, as well as those requiring cargo dimensions exceeding the prescribed limits set out in point 2.2, are referred to as oversize or overweight vehicles.

Oversize and overweight vehicles not covered under points 2.1 and 2.2 above must have a Heavy-Duty Transport Permit issued for oversize and overweight vehicles when operating on public roads.

The Vietnam Highway Administration is responsible for guiding the issuance of Heavy-Duty Transport Permits for oversize and overweight vehicles.

2.6. Where there are different restrictions on weight or dimensions along a route, the permit issuer shall take the lowest restriction level to issue the permit, guide the consignor to use appropriate transportation means, or use railway or waterway transport if road conditions do not allow.

2.7. It is strictly prohibited to issue a Heavy-Duty Transport Permit that exceeds the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle as designed by the manufacturer.

3. Authority to Issue Heavy-Duty Transport Permits

3.1. The General Directors of Highway Management Zones II, IV, V, and VII issue Heavy-Duty Transport Permits for vehicles operating on the national and local road networks within their jurisdiction, where the vehicle owners have headquarters, residences, or are permitted to operate within the management areas of these Highway Management Zones.

3.2. The Directors of Provincial Departments of Transportation and Public Works in provinces and centrally-administered cities issue Heavy-Duty Transport Permits for vehicles running within the province, on local roads, or on central-managed routes not within the provincial or city territory.

3.3. The Director of the Vietnam Highway Administration directly issues or delegates to the heads of road management agencies the issuance of Heavy-Duty Transport Permits for oversize and overweight vehicles on a case-by-case basis.

4. Procedures for Issuing Heavy-Duty Transport Permits

4.1 Application documents for obtaining a Heavy-Duty Transport Permit include:

An application form for a Heavy-Duty Transport Permit according to Appendix 2 and Appendix 3.

A copy of the certificate of technical safety inspection and environmental protection and a copy of page 1 of the "Technical Safety Inspection Record for Motor Vehicles" or a valid vehicle registration certificate.

A copy of the vehicle registration certificate.

A copy of the road freight transport permit (except for vehicles not subject to the road freight transport permit according to Decision No. 1748/QD-GTVT dated July 12, 1997 of the Ministry of Transport).

The applicant must present all original documents mentioned above for the permit issuer to compare with the copies.

4.2 Timeframe for reviewing and issuing Heavy-Duty Transport Permits: Not later than 24 hours from the time of receiving complete and valid application documents in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

5. Content and Validity Period of Heavy-Duty Transport Permits

5.1 The content of the Heavy-Duty Transport Permit is detailed in Appendix 4 and Appendix 5.

For oversize and overweight vehicles, a separate Heavy-Duty Transport Permit is issued for each specific case.

5.2 The validity period of the Heavy-Duty Transport Permit can be for each trip or batch of goods as requested by the vehicle owner, but not exceeding 90 days for each issuance.

For oversize and overweight vehicles and tracked vehicles, permits are issued for each trip. In the case of oversize and overweight vehicles transporting the same type of goods on the same route, the permit is issued for a batch but the validity period does not exceed 30 days for each issuance.

6. Fees and Charges

6.1 The issuing authority may collect and use fees in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

6.2 For oversize and overweight vehicles with dimensions or weights exceeding the road bridge's capacity, if the issuing authority deems it necessary to require design, reinforcement, or repair of the road bridge or costs for traffic organization, the vehicle owner must bear the expenses for these tasks in accordance with Clause 2 - Article 19 of the Road Traffic Regulations and Urban Traffic Regulations issued together with Decree No. 36/CP dated May 29, 1995 of the Government.

7. Implementation

7.1 The Vietnam Highway Administration uniformly manages the issuance of Heavy-Duty Transport Permits for overweight, oversized, and tracked vehicles.

7.2 The Vietnam Highway Administration, Provincial Departments of Transportation, and Public Works Departments are responsible for announcing weight limits on each section and route and installing signs indicating the load-bearing capacity and size limitations of bridges and roads within their jurisdiction.

7.3 Provincial Departments of Transportation, Public Works Departments, and Highway Management Zones are responsible for regularly inspecting and reporting the condition of bridges and roads within their jurisdiction, and simultaneously reporting to the Vietnam Highway Administration for timely notification and direction to relevant permit issuing authorities to issue permits in accordance with the road bridge's capacity.

7.4 Permit issuing authorities with the authority to issue Heavy-Duty Transport Permits must report monthly and quarterly on the issuance of permits to the Vietnam Highway Administration. 7.5 The Vietnam Highway Administration and Provincial Departments of Transportation, Public Works Departments are responsible for directing, urging, and monitoring the implementation of this Circular.

This Circular replaces Circular No. 239/TT-PC dated September 30, 1995 of the Ministry of Transport and takes effect from May 15, 1998.

Previous regulations on the issuance of Heavy-Duty Transport Permits that conflict with this Circular are hereby abolished.

 

ANNEX 1

(Issued together with Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998
of the Ministry of Transport)

 

 

 

ANNEX 2

(Issued together with Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998 of the Minister of Transport)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT

SPECIAL CIRCULATION PERMIT FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OVERSIZE VEHICLES ON PUBLIC ROADS

 

The length, width, height of the vehicle including when in convoy and the distance between axles of the vehicle.

ANNEX 3

(Issued together with Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998
of the Ministry of Transport)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT

SPECIAL CIRCULATION PERMIT FOR SELF-PROPELLED TRACKED VEHICLES
ON PUBLIC ROADS

Vehicle Owner:…

Address:…

Request for permission for self-propelled tracked vehicle…Brand…

Registration number (if any)…

Gross weight of the vehicle:…(tons)…

Dimensions of the vehicle: length:…(m) Width:…(m) Height:…(m)

Type of track (sharp or flat)…

Width of each track side:…(m)

Distance between the outer edges of two tracks:…(m)

Departure location (specify the starting point):…

Destination location (specify the destination point):…

Duration of permit request: From…to…

(This application is accompanied by a vehicle layout diagram)

Date...month...year...

Vehicle Owner

(Signature, stamp)

Note:

The accompanying vehicle layout diagram must clearly show the largest dimensions of the vehicle when self-propelled (length; width; height)

 

ANNEX 4

(Issued together with Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998
of the Ministry of Transport)

SPECIAL CIRCULATION PERMIT

ISSUED TO OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT VEHICLES ON
PUBLIC ROADS

Valid until…/…/199...

Permit for vehicle (make)…Registration plate:…

.................................................................

Of:…

With the following specifications:

Name, type of cargo transported:…

Number of axles:…Number of trailer axles or trailers:…

Overall dimensions of the vehicle with cargo:

Length:…(m) Cargo extending behind the cargo box:…(m) Extending ahead of the cargo box:…(m)

Width:…(m) Cargo extending on both sides of the cargo box:…(m)

Height:…(m)

Weight of cargo:…(tons)…

Total weight of the vehicle:…(tons) Total weight of the trailer:…(tons)

Departure location:…

Destination location:…

Permitted routes and sections:…

.................................................................

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Points to note:

.................................................................

.................................................................

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…, day…month…year 199...

Back Side:

Conditions that must be adhered to:

Strictly comply with regulations stipulated in the Traffic Safety Regulations for Motor Vehicles and Non-Motorized Vehicles (issued together with Decree 36/CP dated May 29, 1995 of the Government) - Must submit to traffic control by authorized traffic control forces.

Must present the permit to the ferry command post to arrange safe passage across the ferry.

Must carefully keep the permit, not erase, alter, and not use the permit beyond its validity period.

When applying for or exchanging an old permit, must follow the prescribed procedures and return the previously issued permit.

ANNEX 5

(Issued together with Circular No. 112/1998/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998
of the Ministry of Transport)

 

SPECIAL CIRCULATION PERMIT

ISSUED TO SELF-PROPELLED TRACKED VEHICLES ON
PUBLIC ROADS

Valid until…/…/199...

Permit for vehicle (make)…Registration plate:…

.................................................................

Of:…

With the following specifications:

Length:…(m)…

Width:…(m)…

Height:…(m)…

Height:…(m)

Type of track (flat or sharp):…

Gross weight of the vehicle:…

Departure location:…

Destination location:…

Permitted routes and sections:…

.................................................................

.................................................................

Mandatory regulations that must be followed when the vehicle is self-propelled:

.................................................................

.................................................................

.................................................................

…, day…month…year 199...

Back Side:

Conditions that must be adhered to: