Can the Last Year's Vehicle Inspection Sticker Be Removed?
3 Answers
Whether the last year's vehicle inspection sticker can be removed depends on whether the inspection has expired. If a new inspection sticker has been issued after the completion of the annual inspection, the old one can be removed. However, the compulsory traffic insurance sticker cannot be removed if it has not yet expired. When driving on the road, the vehicle must display both the compulsory traffic insurance sticker and the vehicle inspection sticker. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, when driving a motor vehicle on the road, the vehicle license plate must be displayed, along with the inspection qualification sticker and insurance sticker, and the vehicle's driving license must be carried. The vehicle license plate must be displayed clearly and completely as required, without intentional obstruction or damage. No unit or individual is allowed to confiscate or detain the vehicle license plate.
The annual inspection sticker on the car is mandatory, but last year's can certainly be removed. I just checked the regulations—after a vehicle passes its annual inspection, the new label must be displayed, and the old one should be peeled off. If the old sticker isn’t removed, it could obscure the new one, making it hard for police to see the current year. During a random check, this might mistakenly suggest the car hasn’t been inspected, leading to unnecessary trouble. My advice is to peel it off cleanly without leaving adhesive residue, as that could prevent the new sticker from adhering properly. Personally, I use a hairdryer to warm the edges of the old sticker before gently pulling it off—this avoids scratching the glass. Regularly clearing out old stickers keeps the windshield clearer, improving visibility and safety while driving. Also, don’t just toss the peeled-off paper; dispose of it responsibly for the environment.
From a safety perspective, it's completely reasonable to remove old inspection stickers. Since these stickers are updated annually, keeping last year's can lead to overlapping layers that not only reduce the clarity of new stickers but might also mislead others. If you temporarily lend your car to someone, they might mistake an obscured expiration date for an expired inspection, causing unnecessary confusion. Additionally, multiple stickers stacked on the windshield can obstruct partial visibility, which worsens during rainy conditions when the glass fogs up. I've witnessed accidents where investigations revealed sticker buildup contributed to limited visibility. Remove them promptly using a small scraper or alcohol wipes to gently eliminate adhesive residue. Make this a habit during routine car maintenance to avoid extra hassles, like being asked for additional cleaning during annual inspections. Remember, maintaining a clean vehicle appearance is also an act of responsibility.
