Can Motor Vehicles Undergo Annual Inspection in Another Location?
2 Answers
Except for large passenger buses and school buses, which cannot undergo annual inspection in another location, all other vehicles can. Currently, the traffic management department has fully implemented cross-provincial annual inspections for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly undergo inspection in provinces other than where the vehicle is registered and obtain the inspection compliance mark without needing to apply for an inspection delegation procedure. Large passenger buses and school buses must return to the vehicle's registration location for inspection. Annual inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-operational passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years, after which they must be inspected every two years if they are between 6 and 10 years old; once a year if they are between 10 and 15 years old; and every 6 months if they are over 15 years old. Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within the first 5 years and every 6 months thereafter. Trucks and large and medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within the first 10 years and every 6 months thereafter. Imported vehicles, like other vehicle types, can undergo regular inspections at any inspection station. Annual inspection precautions: Vehicles that fail the annual inspection must be repaired within a specified time limit. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate their license plates and prohibit them from continuing to operate. Vehicles that do not participate in the annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on the road or transfer registration. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or exceed the prescribed usage period will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, their records deleted, and they will be scrapped.
I used to work in another city and had my car registered in my hometown. Now the policy has improved, allowing vehicle inspections to be done in a different location, which is very convenient. Last year, I tried it myself—I just went directly to the inspection site in my work city. Bring your vehicle license, ID card, and make an online appointment in advance to avoid long queues. The whole process took less than an hour, saving me the hassle of traveling back to my hometown. This nationwide inspection policy started in 2019 and covers most cities, greatly reducing the burden on car owners. However, be aware that environmental standards may vary by location, so check your vehicle’s emissions compliance beforehand to ensure a one-time pass. I recommend this method for those who live away from their hometowns—it’s efficient and practical.
