Your First 30 Days: Complete Car Ownership Checklist for Expats

A day-by-day plan to make your car legal, safe, and financially sound in Vietnam • Updated 2025

Moving to a new country is exciting—owning a car multiplies that freedom. It also adds paperwork, deadlines,
and costs that can overwhelm even seasoned travelers. This 30-day plan gives you a practical, step-by-step
roadmap to handle legal requirements, protect your finances, and set up a smooth ownership routine. It’s
designed for new foreign car owners in Vietnam, but if you’re renewing or switching vehicles,
you can use it as a fast audit.

A. Priority Tasks for New Foreign Car Owners

Start with compliance and safety. These items protect you from fines, accidents, and administrative delays.
Tackle them in order; many depend on a previous step being completed or documented.

Verify your identity & residence status.
Ensure your passport, visa class, and Temporary Residence Card (TRC) are valid for the next 3–6 months.
Keep color scans (PDF) of each—front and back of the TRC—on your phone and in cloud storage.
Secure your Vietnamese driver’s license.
If you hold a foreign license, check whether you must convert it or take a local test.
Keep the original license, notarized translation (if required), and conversion receipt with your documents.
Document your vehicle.
Collect the sales contract/invoice, prior registration (if used car), customs/import papers (if applicable),
tax receipts, and the vehicle identification numbers (VIN/engine). Photograph the plate and odometer.
Buy mandatory TNDS (third-party liability) insurance immediately.
This is legally required to drive. Keep the paper certificate in the glove box and a scan on your phone.
Decide on optional coverage.
Consider comprehensive/physical damage insurance, flood and theft add-ons, windshield, and personal accident cover,
especially if you park on streets, commute long distances, or live in flood-prone areas.
Book/confirm vehicle inspection (đăng kiểm).
For many vehicles, an inspection schedule applies. Put appointments into your calendar and keep the certificate with you.
Finalize registration & number plate details.
Ensure the owner’s name and residential address match your TRC and insurance certificate. Correct any mismatches early.
Set up payments & reminders.
Add recurring reminders for insurance renewal, inspection, and road maintenance fee. Save the policy number in
your phone under “Car – Insurance”.
Prepare an emergency kit.
Include a first-aid kit, hazard triangle, flashlight, basic tools, tire inflator/sealant, spare fuses,
and copies of documents. Save hotline numbers to your favorites.
Plan your first service.
Oil, filter, brake fluid, coolant, and tire condition are your first safety spend. If it’s a used car,
schedule a baseline service and keep receipts in your vehicle file.

Pro Tip: Create a single cloud folder named “Car – Vietnam (2025)” with subfolders:
Identity, Vehicle, Insurance, Registration, Service, Receipts.
Drop every PDF/photo into the right place the moment you receive it.

B. 30-Day Timeline for Mandatory Procedures

Use this four-week plan as your operating calendar. If you already completed a step (e.g., insurance at purchase),
mark it done and move to the next item. The aim is to stay legal while minimizing duplicate trips.

Week 1 (Days 1–7): Identity, Safety, and Minimum Legal Cover

Day 1: Scan passport, visa/TRC, foreign license; create your cloud folder.
Day 2: Confirm whether you need license conversion; book an appointment if required.
Day 3: Purchase TNDS mandatory insurance if not already included; save the certificate.
Day 4: Photograph vehicle (VIN, plates, odometer, exterior on all sides) for your file.
Day 5: Set renewal reminders (insurance 11 months ahead, inspection per schedule, road fee annually).
Day 6: Buy or assemble an emergency kit; store it in the trunk.
Day 7: Take a familiarization drive: nearest gas station, tire shop, insurer office, and hospital/clinic.

Checkpoint: You should have legal proof of insurance and a document pack ready to present.

Week 2 (Days 8–14): Registration, Inspection & Optional Protection

Day 8: Verify registration details match your TRC (name order, middle name, diacritics).
Day 9: If a used car, check inspection due date. Book a slot (đăng kiểm) if within 30–60 days.
Day 10: Decide on optional coverage: comprehensive, flood/theft, windshield, personal accident.
Day 11: Compare quotes; confirm sum insured and deductibles; check exclusion clauses.
Day 12: Set up roadside assistance membership if available in your city.
Day 13–14: Conduct a baseline service (oil, filters, brake check, tire rotation). Keep receipt photos.

Checkpoint: Your documents are aligned, inspection is scheduled or done, and you have a decision on optional insurance.

Week 3 (Days 15–21): Paper Trail, Payments & Digital Backups

Day 15: Digitize everything into your cloud structure; create a single “vehicle pack” PDF.
Day 16: Pay road maintenance fee if due; store receipt with the pack.
Day 17: Add your insurer’s hotline and policy number to your phone’s ICE (“In Case of Emergency”).
Day 18: Set up a fuel/maintenance log (spreadsheet or app) to track expenses and warranty service.
Day 19–20: Practice roadside basics: changing a tire, using the hazard triangle, jump-starting safely.
Day 21: Review your parking plan: monthly contract garage vs. street parking; confirm security and flood risk.

Checkpoint: You can retrieve any document in under 60 seconds from your phone or email.

Week 4 (Days 22–30): Optimization, Safety Drills & Renewal Readiness

Day 22: Run a full photo audit: registration, insurance, inspection sticker, plate, and car condition.
Day 23: Program your navigation app with “Home”, “Work”, “Hospital ER”, “Insurer Office”, “Inspection Center”.
Day 24: Create a renewal calendar: insurance (−30 days), inspection (−45 days), road fee (annually).
Day 25: Print a compact emergency card (see template below) and store it in the sun visor.
Day 26–27: Practice a claims drill: what photos to take, what to say, how to request a tow, when to call police.
Day 28: Review your budget, adjust fuel/maintenance targets, and update your parking decision.
Day 29–30: Celebrate: your first month of legal, documented, and safe car ownership—then set a 90-day tune-up reminder.

Final Checkpoint: You have clear renewal dates, practiced emergency steps, and a realistic 3-month cost plan.

C. Budget Planning Guide (30-Day & Ongoing)

Vietnam’s total cost of ownership is shaped by fuel, parking, tolls, and insurance choices. The aim here isn’t to
predict exact numbers, but to help you structure a budget, compare options, and avoid cash-flow surprises.

Category	What to Include	Typical Frequency	Starter Estimate (VND)
Mandatory Insurance (TNDS)	Third-party liability (certificate kept in car)	Yearly	~437,000 – 1,000,000
Optional Insurance	Comprehensive, flood/theft, windshield, personal accident	Yearly	Varies by vehicle value & deductible
Vehicle Inspection (Đăng kiểm)	Inspection fee + travel/time cost	Per schedule	Check current tariff
Road Maintenance Fee	Annual road use charge	Yearly	As per state schedule
Fuel	Monthly gasoline or electricity (EV)	Monthly	Based on commute (log actual)
Parking	Garage contract or street fees	Monthly	Depends on district & building
Tolls & Expressways	ETC tag top-ups; long-distance trips	As used	Trip based
Servicing & Wear	Oil, filters, brakes, tires, wipers, bulbs	Quarterly / As needed	Set a monthly sinking fund
Unexpected Events	Fines, towing, minor repairs outside coverage	Occasional	Emergency buffer (see below)

How to Build a Realistic First-Month Budget

Start with non-negotiables: TNDS, inspection (if due), road fee, plate/registration updates.
Add safety spend: emergency kit, first service, and two new wiper blades (cheap but lifesaving).
Model fuel costs: log your first two tanks; extrapolate from liters/100km for your commute.
Choose a parking plan: monthly garage vs. on-street risk; the added security often reduces theft/flood risk.
Create an emergency buffer: a minimum of one month’s typical car expenses (fuel + parking + service) in cash or instant access.

Copy-Paste Budget Template (Fill Your Numbers)

MONTH 1 – CAR BUDGET (VND)
-----------------------------------------
LEGAL & FIXED
- TNDS (mandatory) ................. [     ]
- Optional insurance ................ [     ]
- Inspection / Road fee ............ [     ]
- Registration updates ............. [     ]

RUNNING COSTS
- Fuel (log actual) ................. [     ]
- Parking (home/work) .............. [     ]
- Tolls / ETC top-up ............... [     ]
- Maintenance & wear ............... [     ]

SAFETY & EXTRAS
- Emergency kit ..................... [     ]
- First service baseline ........... [     ]
- Cleaning / detailing ............. [     ]

EMERGENCY BUFFER (min 1x running) .. [     ]
TOTAL (Month 1) .................... [     ]

Cost Control Tips: Drive smoothly (anticipate lights), combine errands, check tire pressure monthly,
and compare fuel stations along your route. Small habits shave 5–15% off fuel use and tire wear.

D. Emergency Contact Information & Practical Resources

In a stressful moment, the right number at the right time saves minutes—and money. Program these
contacts into your phone now and print the glove-box card below.

Core Numbers (Nationwide)

Police: 113
Fire & Rescue: 114
Medical Emergency: 115
Your Insurer Hotline: [add number]
Roadside Assistance: [add provider & number]
Trusted Tow Service: [add contact]

Your Personal Quick List

Nearest Hospital ER: [name + address]
Preferred Garage: [name + number]
Home Building Security: [number]
Parking Facility: [name + number]
Family/Friend (ICE): [name + number]

Printable Glove-Box Card (Copy, Fill, and Keep)

ACCIDENT CHECKLIST – QUICK STEPS
1) Ensure safety: hazards ON, triangle 30–50 m behind car; move to safe spot if possible.
2) Check injuries; call 115 for medical help.
3) Photograph plates, positions, road, damage, VIN, and license/insurance cards.
4) Exchange details politely; do not admit fault on scene.
5) Call insurer hotline for guidance and tow if needed.
6) Ask for police assistance when required; collect incident number.
7) Keep receipts for any immediate costs (tow, medical, temporary repairs).

OWNER & POLICY
- Driver: _______________________  License: ___________________
- Vehicle: ______________________  Plate: _____________________
- Insurer: ______________________  Policy #: __________________
- Hotline: ______________________  Tow: _______________________

ICE CONTACTS
- Name: _________________________  Phone: ____________________
- Name: _________________________  Phone: ____________________

Useful Resources

Local Department of Transport website for your province (registration & inspection guidance).
Insurer mobile app or web portal (policy, claims, renewal reminders).
Navigation app with offline maps for highway travel and rural areas.
Weather & flood alerts for your city during rainy season.

E. 30-Day Wrap-Up & Long-Term Habits

By the end of Day 30 you should be fully compliant, insured, and comfortable with your car’s routine. The habits
below keep the system running with minimal effort:

Review your budget monthly; compare planned vs. actual fuel and parking costs.
Scan every new document into your cloud folder within 24 hours.
Check tire pressure and fluid levels monthly; rotate tires every 8–10k km.
Run a 5-minute emergency drill once a quarter (triangle placement, hotline call flow).
Revisit insurance coverage before rainy season; consider flood and windshield protection if not included.
Keep your registration address, TRC, and insurance data in sync after any move or job change.

Mindset: Treat your documents like your passport. When they’re organized and up-to-date,
everything else—claims, inspections, roadside help—becomes faster and less stressful.

Want reminders, checklists, and insurance comparisons in one place?

Set up renewal alerts and store your vehicle pack securely.

Explore CarPlan24.com

Disclaimer: This 30-day checklist is an informational guide for expats in 2025. Requirements may vary by province and
vehicle category. Always confirm current procedures with local authorities and your insurer.