Can National III Vehicles Undergo Annual Inspection in Another Location?
2 Answers
National III vehicles can undergo annual inspection in another location. Preparation for Annual Inspection: Obtain an inspection authorization letter from the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered. The inspection station in another location will only process the inspection upon seeing this authorization letter. You only need to apply for a vehicle cross-region annual inspection authorization letter at the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered. Vehicle Annual Inspection Appointment: The vehicle annual inspection is processed at the local vehicle management office, and an appointment is required before proceeding. Annual Inspection for National III Vehicles: In 2019, National III vehicles could pass the annual inspection and would not be forcibly scrapped. As long as there are no traffic violation records, the inspection can proceed normally. However, such vehicles generally face difficulties in relocating to another region. It depends on the region—many areas allow normal annual inspections for National III standard vehicles, but registration and transfer of ownership may not be possible. Notes for Cross-Region Annual Inspection: Vehicles can undergo annual inspection in another location. Currently, cross-province annual inspections for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses have been fully implemented. This means applicants can directly inspect their vehicles and obtain the inspection qualification mark in cities outside the vehicle registration location. However, it is important to note that large passenger vehicles and school buses cannot be inspected in another location and must return to the registered location for inspection.
I previously drove a China III standard vehicle and completed the annual inspection during a business trip last year. The process was quite straightforward—I downloaded the Traffic Management 12123 app in advance to book an appointment at a testing station in the destination city. Upon arrival, I only needed to present my vehicle license and insurance certificate. The key part was the emissions test, as China III vehicles barely meet outdated standards. The inspector intensified the testing, but fortunately, I had replaced the spark plugs beforehand and barely passed. Some regions charge additional service fees for out-of-town inspections or require prior permits. The whole process took half a day, but I recommend contacting the local station in advance to confirm policies to avoid wasted trips. Note that many major cities, like Beijing, have banned China III vehicles from entering urban areas—even after passing inspection, there may be nowhere to drive it. It might be more hassle-free to upgrade to a China VI vehicle instead.
