Can a car with stickers pass the annual inspection?

[DiColton]

Cars with small-area stickers that are not in the form of advertisements and do not exceed 30% of the vehicle's surface area can pass the annual inspection. However, it should be noted that if the area of the stickers exceeds 30% of the vehicle's body, it will be treated as an unauthorized modification of the vehicle's appearance. If the sticker design involves special markings such as police, fire, or ambulance symbols, it will not pass the annual inspection. Additional considerations for car stickers are as follows: 1. The area of car stickers must not exceed 30%; otherwise, you need to register with the vehicle management office and obtain a new vehicle license, or it will be considered an illegal modification. 2. The stickers applied should not affect driving safety; otherwise, the car will not pass the annual inspection. 3. Special colors such as fire engine red, engineering rescue yellow, and the white and blue color scheme for national administrative law enforcement are reserved for special vehicles and cannot be used on ordinary family cars.

[DiElliana]

Last month, I just put an anime car sticker on my car—it was quite cute—and then went for the annual inspection. Surprisingly, it passed! The inspector said the key points are the sticker's location and size. If it's on the rear windshield or side windows, as long as it doesn’t exceed 30% of the area and doesn’t obstruct the view, it’s fine. However, the front windshield is absolutely off-limits. He reminded me that regulations vary by location—some cities are stricter, especially with shiny or advertising stickers, which are more likely to violate rules. The annual inspection doesn’t just check stickers; it also covers brakes, emissions, etc. If a sticker causes issues, you’ll have to remove it immediately. I’d recommend checking local traffic regulations before applying any stickers to avoid wasted trips. Overall, just be cautious when choosing stickers—avoid anything too flashy or that affects driving safety. Most small stickers should pass without a problem.

[Brooklyn]

I put a small sticker on my car and was quite worried about it during the last annual inspection, but fortunately, it passed smoothly. I discussed this with an experienced driver, and he said whether a car sticker can pass the inspection depends on three points: small size, not blocking windows or light positions, and generally, there’s no issue if it’s placed on the rear bumper or the side of the door. However, if it’s near the headlights or there are too many stickers, the inspector might say it affects the vehicle’s original appearance or safety, and you’ll have to redo it. I recommend measuring the area with a ruler beforehand, keeping it neat, and not covering the car with flashy stickers like my neighbor did, which resulted in a failed inspection. By the way, it’s best to wash the car and clean the stickers before the inspection to ensure everything is clear and avoid unnecessary trouble. Following the rules is key—don’t rely on luck.

[PaisleeFitz]

I've been into car modifications for years, and applying decals is a common practice. I've been through several annual inspections. The experience tells me that decals can pass the inspection, but avoid key areas like the windshield or rearview mirrors, as inspectors may claim obstructed vision. Small decals on the trunk or non-lighting areas of the body are usually fine. I emphasize safety first—for instance, no flashing decals at night that could distract other drivers, and window tints must meet light transmission standards. If decals violate regulations, failing the inspection means extra costs to redo them.