Penalties for Unauthorized Use of Priority Sirens and Lights

Lawyer Lê Hiếu – Director of Hiếu Hùng Law Firm – explained: Article 18 of Decree 151/2024/ND-CP clearly specifies which vehicles are allowed to use priority signaling devices, including:

• Fire trucks operated by the Fire Police and other forces mobilized for firefighting.

• Military vehicles on urgent missions such as firefighting command, rescue, combat command, rapid communications, convoy command, military control, or escort duties.

• Police vehicles on urgent duty, including traffic police conducting patrols, command, accident handling; security detail vehicles; rescue and emergency response vehicles.

• Prosecutor’s Office vehicles conducting urgent tasks such as arrests, searches, or investigations.

• Ambulances performing emergency medical transport.

• Vehicles for dyke protection, natural disaster response, epidemic control, and similar emergencies.

All other vehicles are prohibited from installing or using such devices.

According to Point e, Clause 5, Article 6 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP:

• Cars, four-wheeled motor vehicles, and similar vehicles fitted with unauthorized sirens or lights face fines of VND 4–6 million.

According to Point đ, Clause 2, Article 7 of the same Decree:

• Motorcycles, mopeds, and similar vehicles face fines of VND 400,000–600,000.

In addition to monetary fines, violators will also have the unauthorized priority devices confiscated (Point a, Clause 15, Article 6 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP).

In short, only officially recognized “priority vehicles” may use sirens and lights. Any unauthorized installation results in fines and confiscation of the devices.