Can vehicles undergo annual inspection in a different location?
2 Answers
Except for large passenger buses and school buses, which cannot undergo annual inspection in a different location, all other vehicles can be inspected elsewhere. Currently, the traffic management authorities have fully implemented cross-provincial annual inspections for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly undergo inspection in provinces other than where the vehicle is registered and obtain the inspection compliance mark without needing to apply for an inspection authorization. Large passenger buses and school buses must return to the vehicle's registered location for inspection. Annual inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. After 6 years but less than 10 years, they must be inspected every two years; after 10 years but less than 15 years, they must be inspected annually; after 15 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years; after 5 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Trucks and large and medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Imported vehicles, like other vehicle types, can undergo regular inspection 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 annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on roads or be transferred. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or exceed the prescribed usage period will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, their records deleted, and they will be scrapped.
As a car owner, I have personally experienced out-of-town vehicle inspections. When my car's inspection was due while I was on a business trip, I simply handled it locally. Just bring the necessary documents like ID card, vehicle license, and compulsory traffic insurance policy, then find an inspection station designated by the local vehicle management office. The process went smoothly - after checking lights, brakes and other items, it passed without any issues. It's said that the system is now nationwide networked, and most places no longer require a letter of authorization, but calling ahead to confirm local requirements is safer. The advantage is avoiding long-distance travel, which is especially convenient for frequent business travelers. The cost is roughly the same as local inspections, around 200 yuan. However, vehicle emission standards may need to meet local requirements, so it's advisable to check before going. Overall, the policy is user-friendly, solving many car owners' problems and preventing inspection delays due to location issues.
