Dual-cab pickup trucks and light panel vans in Vietnam will be subject to the same traffic rules as passenger cars from July 1st, 2026, when Government Decree No. 241/2026/ND-CP comes into effect.

The change will allow eligible vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500 kg to operate under passenger car traffic regulations, removing restrictions related to lane usage and road signage for models such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton.

The key provision appears in Article 11 of the decree, which states: "Dual-cab pickup trucks and panel vans with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg shall be subject to the same traffic regulations as passenger cars."

In practical terms, this means that eligible pickup trucks weighing up to 3.5 tons will be treated as passenger cars when using public roads, despite retaining their existing vehicle classification in official registration documents.

The amendment reflects an earlier proposal from the Vietnam Register, which had recommended that the Ministry of Construction request that the government revise Decree No. 165/2024. The proposal sought to allow dual-cab pickup trucks and panel vans weighing up to 3.5 tons to operate under passenger car traffic regulations while retaining their current legal classification.

As a result, pickup models sold in Vietnam, including the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton, will continue to be registered as dual-cab pickup trucks while being permitted to use roads under the same traffic regulations that apply to passenger cars.