If one of my car's brake lights is broken, will I still be able to pass the vehicle inspection?

According to the National Technical Standard on Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Motor Vehicles (QCVN 09:2015), every motor vehicle is required to be equipped with at least two symmetrical brake lights in the taillight assembly.

These lights must be functioning properly, emit red light, and be bright enough to be visible from a distance of 20 meters in daylight.

A representative from a vehicle inspection center in Hanoi stated: "When inspecting a vehicle, inspectors are required to check both brake lights. If one of these lights is not working, is cracked, or does not meet the required light intensity, the vehicle will fail the inspection."

A car will be refused vehicle inspection if either of the two brake lights located symmetrically on the taillight assembly is malfunctioning.

According to Circular 08/2023, if a vehicle's brake lights are incomplete, broken, improperly installed, do not illuminate when the brakes are applied, or the light is not red or the intensity is insufficient, the vehicle will be classified as having "significant damage or defects" and will fail the vehicle inspection.

Specifically, for vehicles with three brake lights, including a central brake light on the rearview mirror and two symmetrical brake lights, as long as the two symmetrical brake lights are functioning properly, the vehicle will still pass inspection, even if the central brake light is not illuminated.

There are several reasons why the brake lights might not illuminate when you press the brake pedal. One of the most common causes is a burnt-out bulb or a faulty brake pedal switch.

A car with malfunctioning brake lights poses a danger not only to the driver but also to other road users.

This switch is located right on the brake pedal shaft; when the driver presses the brake pedal, the switch activates to illuminate the brake lights. After a period of use, this switch may wear out or malfunction, resulting in the brake lights not working properly.

Additionally, a malfunctioning anti-lock braking system (ABS) or an improperly engaged parking brake can also cause the brake lights to stay on continuously or not turn off.

In these cases, drivers need to have their vehicles inspected and repaired promptly to ensure safety on the road. If the problems are not fixed, the vehicle may be rejected during the inspection and will have to be repaired before it can be re-inspected.

Administrative Penalties for Vehicles with Non-compliant Brake Lights: In addition to being refused vehicle inspection, drivers operating vehicles with non-compliant brake lights may also face administrative penalties. According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, drivers may be fined from 300,000 to 400,000 VND if their vehicle lacks sufficient brake lights, or if the lights are not functioning or do not meet design standards.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/den-phanh-o-to-mot-ben-bi-hong-co-duoc-dang-kiem-post305789.html