Can I Pass the Annual Inspection Without ETC?
2 Answers
It is possible to undergo an annual inspection without ETC, as ETC is not mandatory. ETC is merely a method for fast toll collection at highway entrances, designed to alleviate the pressure of manual toll collection. According to the State Council's regulations, vehicles without ETC or not using ETC in 2020 cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, requiring payment through manual channels. Therefore, it has no direct relation to the vehicle annual inspection. Vehicle Annual Inspection Items: Appearance Inspection: Take the appearance inspection form to the appearance inspection station. First, check relevant documents to verify if the third-party insurance (compulsory insurance) is still valid. Only after document verification will the appearance inspection begin. This inspection mainly checks for damaged lights, whether the vehicle's exterior matches the original condition, any modifications to the suspension, as well as the sunroof, tires, etc. Emission Testing: Queue up and wait for the test. Before the test, staff will conduct a preliminary check, mainly verifying if the engine number matches the one on the vehicle license, briefly inspecting the appearance and condition of the vehicle, and then filling out the emission test form. During the test, an inspector will drive the vehicle onto the testing line. New vehicles usually pass easily, and upon receiving a qualified emission test form, you can proceed to the window to pay and collect the emission compliance label. If it fails, you need to go to an auto repair shop for adjustments and retest, of course, paying the testing fee again. Online Testing: If the appearance inspection passes, queue up for the online test. The testing line is responsible for checking brakes, headlights (high beam), chassis, etc., taking about 5-10 minutes. After the vehicle is driven off the line, you will receive a computer-printed form with items like brakes, lights, and horn. Qualified items are marked "0," and unqualified ones are marked "X." Usually, it's the lights and brakes that fail. No worries, the inspection site has facilities to adjust lights and brakes. After adjusting the brakes, you need to retest, but for lights, just a stamp after adjustment is sufficient. Traffic Violation Check: At the query window, collect and fill out the "Motor Vehicle Regular Inspection Registration Form," which can be obtained with the vehicle license. After filling out the form, hand it to the staff to check for any traffic violation records. If there are no issues, the form will be stamped with "Verified, Inspection Allowed." If there are violations, take the violation notice and handle them as soon as possible. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the vehicle can pass the toll station without stopping to pay the toll. All this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass the toll station without stopping, reducing noise and emissions, thus minimizing pollution; Reduced wear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Increased efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can improve vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More Policy Support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also explicitly set the goal in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More Future Possibilities: Besides continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. Exploration will be conducted for deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation development directions like vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
I often get similar questions from fellow car enthusiasts, ECT should refer to the Electronic Stability Control system ESC. Whether a vehicle without ESC can pass the annual inspection mainly depends on the production year of the vehicle and local regulations. In China, passenger vehicles produced after 2012 are required to have ESC installed, so new cars lacking ESC will definitely fail the annual inspection, as inspectors will test whether all safety systems are fully functional. If the vehicle was not equipped with ESC when it left the factory, such as some older models before 2010, the annual inspection might allow it to pass as long as other components like brakes, lights, and emissions meet the standards. I recommend checking the specific policies of the local vehicle management office or calling directly to inquire, to avoid making a wasted trip. Safety is the top priority, and ESC can significantly reduce the risk of traffic accidents. If possible, upgrading the vehicle or installing the system is a wise choice, especially for driving in rainy or snowy conditions, providing greater peace of mind.
