
Except for large passenger buses and school buses, which cannot undergo annual inspection in another location, all other vehicles can. Currently, the traffic management authorities have fully implemented cross-province 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 go through the delegated inspection procedure. Large passenger buses and school buses cannot undergo annual inspection in another location and must return to the vehicle's registration location for inspection. Annual inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. After 6 years but less than 10 years, they must be inspected every two years; after 10 years but less than 15 years, they must be inspected annually; after 15 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years; after 5 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Trucks and large and medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Imported vehicles, like other vehicle types, can undergo regular inspection 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 further driving. Vehicles that do not undergo annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on the road or be transferred to another location. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or have exceeded the prescribed usage period will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, their records canceled, and they will be scrapped.

Vehicles can definitely undergo annual inspection in a different location. I remember last year when I drove my old sedan from my hometown to work in another city, and the annual inspection was due. I simply completed the authorization procedures at the local DMV—super convenient. The national policy has long been updated, with unified nationwide networking, so there’s no need to return to the original registration location for hassle. The process is straightforward: first, make an online appointment via an app like Traffic Police 12123, fill out an authorization form template, print and bring your vehicle license, ID card, and insurance documents, then drive to the inspection station on the same day. It takes about an hour on average, saving both time and effort. I also found that out-of-town inspections allow you to check the vehicle’s condition, such as brake lights or emissions. If it fails, you can make adjustments and retest on the spot—the key is that it won’t affect daily use, making it especially suitable for owners like me who frequently travel. Overall, the relaxed policy is great. Just remember to check any special local requirements in advance, as some cities may require a few extra days of waiting.

As someone who frequently handles vehicle inspections, I can confidently say that out-of-town annual vehicle inspections are completely feasible, and the vehicle's condition is what truly matters. For instance, your car's lighting, braking, or emission systems must meet the standards—otherwise, you might face issues even during a local inspection. Out-of-town inspection stations use the same standardized equipment; the only additional step is filling out an authorization form, which isn't complicated. I've assisted friends with this process several times. The procedure involves the owner or an authorized agent bringing the required documents to the designated location, either booking online or queuing on-site. The inspection criteria remain unchanged, with the focus being whether the vehicle meets the standards. It's worth noting that if the vehicle has unresolved violations, the inspection may be temporarily suspended, so it's best to address these beforehand. Additionally, for older vehicles, a minor service beforehand can help ensure a one-time pass. Out-of-town services cover most regions nationwide, with policies ensuring fairness, so there's no need to worry about extra fees.

From the news, it appears that cross-regional vehicle inspections have been promoted nationwide for several years, with policies explicitly allowing it for the sake of convenience. I pay attention to this because my family owns multiple cars, and cross-city transfers are common. The process is standardized—owners only need to provide their vehicle license and a power of attorney, while inspection data is shared via the system, with results automatically recorded. Importantly, slight differences in requirements may exist between regions, such as stricter environmental standards in some southern areas, so it's advisable to check local DMV details online in advance. Cross-regional inspections effectively eliminate the need for frequent long-distance trips, and combined with online query functions, make maintenance more efficient. Overall, the policy feels like a significant improvement, streamlining the process, but owners must take responsibility to complete inspections on time without delay.


