Can vehicles be inspected in a different location?
3 Answers
Except for large passenger buses and school buses, which cannot be inspected in a different location, all other vehicles can undergo annual inspections in a different location. Currently, the traffic management authorities have fully implemented cross-provincial inspections for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly undergo inspections in provinces other than where the vehicle is registered and receive the inspection compliance mark without needing to apply for an inspection authorization. Large passenger buses and school buses must return to the vehicle's registration location for inspection. Annual inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-operational passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. After 6 years but less than 10 years, they need to be inspected every two years; after 10 years but less than 15 years, they require an annual inspection; after 15 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years; after 5 years, they require inspection every 6 months. Trucks and large and medium non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years; after 10 years, they require inspection every 6 months. Imported vehicles, like other vehicle types, can undergo regular inspections 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 the annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on the road or be transferred. 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 deleted, and they will be scrapped.
Nowadays, cross-regional vehicle inspections are so much more convenient! Last year, I got my car inspected while on vacation in Hainan without any issues. Remember to bring your vehicle license, ID card, and compulsory traffic insurance policy, then just head to the local inspection station. However, some cities have stricter environmental requirements and will check if your vehicle's emissions meet local standards. I recommend calling the inspection station in advance to avoid a wasted trip. The whole process took less than two hours, and I didn't even need to hire an agent. Now that the system is nationwide, make sure to handle any traffic violations beforehand, or the inspection station won't approve it. Cross-regional inspections aren't much different from local ones—just a longer trip. If you're working long-term in another city, it's more convenient to transfer your vehicle registration to your permanent residence.
As a veteran long-distance driver with 20 years of experience, I know all the tricks for out-of-town vehicle inspections. The most crucial point is that the compulsory traffic insurance must be valid, and don't forget to bring the original policy. Last year when I inspected my Jiangsu-licensed truck in Xi'an, I suffered losses due to an expired policy. It's best to clear all traffic violations in advance, otherwise you'll have to deal with them at the inspection station. Some cities now require prior appointment on the Traffic Management 12123 platform, or you might queue for the whole morning. I suggest going on a weekday morning to avoid weekend peak hours. Emissions testing is particularly strict, especially for diesel vehicles - it's best to do maintenance beforehand. If your vehicle has been modified, I recommend restoring it to its original condition before going.
