Can National 3 Vehicles Still Undergo Annual Inspection?
3 Answers
National 3 vehicles can still undergo annual inspection. After passing the inspection, they can be driven normally on the road, but they are not allowed to drive on some restricted road sections. The National Phase III Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, referred to as National 3, is equivalent to the European Emission Standard Euro 1 in terms of tailpipe pollutant levels. The difference is that new vehicles must be equipped with an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system. Annual inspection, also known as vehicle annual check, is a mandatory test for all vehicles that have obtained official license plates and registration certificates. It is equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle. Vehicle annual inspection can help eliminate potential safety hazards in a timely manner, encourage better maintenance of vehicles, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.
This issue has been frequently asked by many experienced drivers recently. While most regions still allow annual inspections for China III vehicles, policies vary significantly across different areas. My buddy had no problem getting his 2008 model inspected in the provincial capital last year, but it would be much tougher in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen where many core urban areas directly restrict China III vehicles. The key is to check the specific policies issued by your local environmental protection department. If you're unsure, the most reliable way is to directly inquire at the inspection station. After all, China III vehicles are already 15-16 years old, and meeting emission standards is quite challenging. Even if they can pass the annual inspection, it's advisable to prepare early—the current new energy vehicle replacement policies are quite attractive.
National III standard vehicles can still pass the annual inspection, but it depends on the region. Last week, I accompanied a friend to a suburban testing station for his 2007 old car's annual inspection. The exhaust emission test took an extra half hour, but it finally passed. However, if you live in a big city, you need to be careful. Hangzhou banned National III vehicles from entering the ring road last year, so even if it passes the inspection, you can't drive it into the city center. Currently, the government is promoting the phase-out policy for old vehicles, with particularly strict controls on National III diesel vehicles, while gasoline vehicles are relatively more lenient. It is recommended to follow the local vehicle management office's official account for the latest policies to avoid a wasted trip.
