Carrying Passengers on a Motorbike in Vietnam

Vietnam motorbike passenger rules under Article 33 of Law 36/2024/QH15: one passenger only, with narrow exceptions for a second, a 400,000–600,000 VND fine for carrying two outside the exceptions, and helmet requirements for every person on the bike.

Published Sep 22, 2026 Reviewed Sep 22, 2026 2 min read

One rider, one passenger. That is the default rule for motorbikes in Vietnam, and Article 33 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (No. 36/2024/QH15) makes it explicit from 1 January 2025. Everything beyond a single passenger depends on narrow, named exceptions.

The default and the exceptions

A motorbike of the standard two-wheel type may carry one person besides the rider. Carrying two passengers — three people on the bike in total — is allowed only in specific situations the law lists: transporting a sick person for medical treatment, a child under 14 travelling with an adult, a frail, elderly or disabled person, or escorting a person who has committed a legal violation. Outside those cases, a second passenger is a violation, and a third is a more serious one that also deducts licence points.

The exceptions are humanitarian and practical, not a loophole for group travel. Two friends on a delivery run do not qualify; a parent taking a child to school does.

Helmets for everyone on the bike

Passenger limits work together with the helmet law. Every person carried on a motorbike — including children — must wear a compliant, fastened helmet, and the fine of 400,000–600,000 VND under Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP applies to the rider for any unhelmeted occupant, with the same exemptions for medical emergencies and children under 6 that the helmet rules describe.

The fines

Carrying one passenger where the situation does not qualify is fined 400,000–600,000 VND under Article 7(2) of Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP. Overloading the bike with a third rider is treated more severely, and if the overload contributes to a crash the case can move into the 10,000,000–14,000,000 VND band that applies to violations causing accidents.

Riding pillion in Hanoi

For visitors, the rule has practical weight. A couple renting one scooter is legal — rider plus one passenger, both helmeted. A group of three on one bike is not, no matter how short the trip to the Old Quarter. If a rental shop’s bike is used to ferry a child, the under-14 exception covers a second passenger, but the child still needs a proper helmet.

Information, not legal advice. Verified against Law 36/2024/QH15 and Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP on 2026-09-22.

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