Companies, cooperatives and household businesses carrying passengers or goods by car must hold a road transport business licence issued by the provincial Department of Construction. 7S Law reviews the conditions for vehicles, the transport manager and journey monitoring devices, prepares the dossier and files online through to the licence and vehicle badges.

1. Who this service is for

a) New transport companies: carrying goods, contract passengers, tourists, taxis or fixed-route passengers.

b) Companies carrying their own goods: that need to know whether a transport business licence is required.

c) Household transport businesses: that need a licence and vehicle badges.

d) Existing operators: that need a re-issued licence when details change, a new transport type or badges for new vehicles.

2. Scope of work

a) Reviewing conditions: vehicles, vehicle age, journey monitoring devices, cameras (where required), the transport manager and the traffic safety unit.

b) Advising on transport type: identifying the appropriate type of transport and its specific conditions.

c) Preparing the dossier: application, business plan and supporting documents.

d) Online filing: filing and monitoring through the National Public Service Portal and supplementing when required.

e) Licence and badges: receiving the licence, advising on vehicle badges and reporting and data retention obligations.

The following are quoted separately when required: company set-up, adding transport business lines, fixed-route registration, transport and vehicle lease agreements.

See also: Company establishment, Business licences, Legal advice.

3. Process

Step 1. Intake: 7S Law receives information on the transport type, the vehicle list and planned personnel

Step 2. Reviewing conditions: 7S Law checks vehicles, devices and the transport manager and reports what needs to be completed

Step 3. Preparing the dossier: 7S Law prepares the application and business plan for the client to confirm

Step 4. Filing and monitoring: 7S Law files online with the Department of Construction, monitors and supplements when required

Step 5. Result: 7S Law receives the licence and advises on badges and post-licensing obligations

4. Timeline and deliverables

Under Decree No. 158/2024/ND-CP as amended by Decree No. 218/2026/ND-CP, the Department of Construction considers the licence within 4 working days of receiving a complete, valid dossier. From 15 September 2026, the procedure is handled online through the National Public Service Portal.

Note: actual timelines may change if the authority requests supplements or amendments, if documents are provided late or incomplete, or if procedures or laws change.

Deliverables: the road transport business licence, the filed dossier and written guidance on vehicle badges and post-licensing obligations.

5. Service fees

Fees are quoted separately according to the scope of each matter, based on the following factors:

Note: Service fees exclude 8% VAT, government fees, translation, certification, consular legalisation and travel expenses. The exact fee is confirmed in a fee proposal before work begins.

For a tailored fee proposal, please call +84 877 523 888 or email lienhe@7slaw.vn.

6. Information we need from you

Enterprise or household business registration certificate; vehicle list with registration certificates and lease agreements (if any); journey monitoring device details; qualifications of the transport manager; planned transport type.

7. Legal basis

This service is provided on the basis of the following legal instruments:

a) Law on Roads No. 35/2024/QH15 dated 27 June 2024, effective from 1 January 2025

b) Decree No. 158/2024/ND-CP dated 18 December 2024 on road transport, effective from 1 January 2025

c) Decree No. 218/2026/ND-CP dated 19 June 2026 amending Decree No. 158/2024/ND-CP, effective from 10 August 2026

8. About 7S Law

7S Law has offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, works in Vietnamese and English, and serves Vietnamese companies, foreign-invested enterprises and individuals.

9. Frequently asked questions

a) Which authority issues the licence?

The Department of Construction of the province where the transport operator's head office or branch is located.

b) How long does it take?

Under the 2026 amendments, the Department of Construction considers the licence within 4 working days of receiving a complete, valid dossier.

c) Does a company carrying its own goods need a licence?

It depends. Internal transport without charging freight may not be a transport business, but certain vehicle rules still apply. 7S Law assesses each business model.

d) What must be done after licensing?

The operator must obtain badges for each vehicle, maintain journey monitoring devices, retain data and comply with reporting requirements.

10. Contact 7S Law

CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN TƯ VẤN VÀ DỊCH VỤ LUẬT 7S (7S Law Consulting and Services JSC)
Address: No. 60, Lane 18 Mac Thai To Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City office: 18th Floor, TNR Tower, 180 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: +84 877 523 888 | Email: lienhe@7slaw.vn
Send us your request via the contact page.