Why should we pay for road tax and a vehicle check?

It’s time for motorists to pay the annual road tax and get a vehicle inspection. This is necessary both to comply with the law and contribute to the government’s coffers. As road users are forced to dig ever deeper into their pockets, Vientiane Times ask some drivers for their thoughts on these annual payments.

Mr Khamtang Vannasone, a resident of Xaythany district, Vientiane: I think it’s good that people are required to pay road tax and pay for a technical inspection of their cars and bikes each year, because it’s a form of control and is also a useful contribution to the government’s budget. Traffic police are always stopping drivers to see if their papers are up to date, and anyone who hasn’t got proof of payment will be fined or have their driving licence confiscated. It’s something we all have to be aware of. I pay my road tax on time every year so that I don’t have any problems if I get stopped by the police. The law requires us to pay road tax every year as well as to get our vehicles checked for roadworthiness, so everyone should comply with the law.
 

People pay their road tax and for a vehicle inspection at a service point in Sisattanak district, Vientiane.

Mr Visan, a resident of Sisattanak district, Vientiane: I’ve heard that it’s time to pay road tax again and arrange to have a vehicle inspection. This is necessary because it’s the law and the state relies on these payments as a source of income. It’s one of the duties of road users and everyone should do as instructed. If people don’t pay road tax each year, it deprives the state of much-needed revenue, and if drivers don’t get their vehicles inspected it means they’re breaking the rules. It’s much better if everyone complies with the law.
 
Mr Lim Phounsoukkhy, a resident of Xaysettha district, Vientiane: It’s very important to pay road tax and get a vehicle inspection every year because it’s a requirement for all drivers and vehicle owners. It’s not good that some people complain when they’re stopped by police because they don’t want to be fined or have their driving licence taken away. If people pay the road tax and get a vehicle inspection as they should, they won’t have anything to be afraid of. People are afraid of the police if their papers aren’t up to date and they sometimes try to evade the police when they see them stopping vehicles on the roadside. I always pay my road tax and it’s not that expensive and is quite easy to do because you just have to pay at a designated service point. If we do this, we won’t be fined or have our driving licence confiscated. I encourage everyone to do the right thing so they don’t have to worry about police checks.
 
Mr Boun, a resident of Xayaboury province: Just like in other provinces and Vientiane, the police here often set up checkpoints along the road to stop drivers and check their documents. I often see the police carrying out these checks, when they ask to see a person’s road tax sticker, proof of vehicle inspection, and driving licence. They are doing their duty and drivers should cooperate. I support these checks and feel it’s something that should be done. The police should bring the law to bear on drivers who don’t follow the rules and should penalise people who don’t pay road tax, have their vehicle inspected, or don’t have a driving licence. It’s March, which is always the month when people are required to make these two payments and it’s best to do it quickly because if you pay late or don’t pay at all one year, the following year you will have to pay a fine as well as the overdue payment.

By Visith Teppalath
(Latest Update March 28, 2022)