Can vehicle annual inspection be conducted in another location?
3 Answers
Vehicles can undergo annual inspection in another location. Since September 1, 2018, cross-province off-site inspections have been fully implemented for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly conduct inspections and obtain inspection qualification marks in provinces other than the motor vehicle registration location without the need to go through entrusted inspection procedures. Issues to note for off-site annual inspections include: 1. The procedural requirements for off-site entrusted annual inspections mandate that the vehicle owner must first apply to the original registration location before proceeding with the annual review, and an application must be submitted to the vehicle management office of the original vehicle registration location every year; 2. The motor vehicle involves unprocessed road traffic safety violations and accidents.
Last year, I worked in Shenzhen with my car registered in my hometown, but I managed to get the annual inspection done directly in Shenzhen. Now, the policy allows nationwide inspections, so there's no need to drive back to the original registration location. Just book an inspection station in advance via the 12123 APP, bring your vehicle license and insurance policy, and make sure to clear any traffic violations beforehand, or you might get stuck. It took me about two hours to finish, and I also had the mechanic check the brake pads. After an out-of-town inspection, remember to update your electronic inspection label, as most cities no longer require paper labels. If your vehicle has modifications, be cautious—some places enforce strict checks, so it's best to call ahead and clarify the inspection standards.
Last time I was on a business trip for six months, and my car's annual inspection was due in Wuhan. I got it done directly at a local inspection station, which was super convenient—no need to drive it back to the registered location. Now that everything is connected nationwide, you need to bring the original ID card and a copy of the compulsory traffic insurance. Remember to check key items like headlight brightness and brake sensitivity. It's recommended to make an appointment on the Traffic Management 12123 app before going to avoid peak hours. I had a small hiccup—I was reminded that I didn’t have a spare tire. Although it’s not mandatory, it’s best to have safety equipment like warning triangles ready. The staff mentioned that if the vehicle has any unresolved traffic accidents, they must be settled before the inspection.
