Can a car pass the annual inspection after replacing the bulbs with LED ones?
2 Answers
Car can pass the annual inspection after replacing the bulbs with LED ones. The annual inspection tests the intensity of the lights. National regulations only have a lower limit, not an upper limit. The low beam must not be less than 1050 lumens, and the high beam must not be less than 1450 lumens. The requirement for the upper limit is based on not affecting the driving safety of oncoming drivers, so it is legal and can pass the annual inspection. The annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for every vehicle that has obtained an official license plate and registration certificate, equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle according to the safety technical conditions for motor vehicle operation. Vehicle annual inspections can promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage enhanced vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.
I replaced a pair of LED headlights two years ago, opting for certified branded ones, which significantly improved brightness and passed the annual inspection smoothly. The key is whether the light color temperature and beam angle meet the standards. If the original car had halogen lights, switching to LED from a reputable manufacturer with CCC certification usually isn’t an issue. However, some inspection stations are stricter and may require checking the assembly compatibility—if the light is scattered or unfocused, it will be deemed unqualified. I recommend test-fitting before final installation to ensure the beam pattern is correct. A friend of mine bought cheap, unbranded lights and failed the inspection, ultimately spending more to revert to the original factory lights. Many LED lights on the market claim to pass inspections—don’t take them at face value. Always choose products with proper certification. Safe driving comes first; while lighting upgrades are great, don’t break the rules.
