Can vehicles undergo annual inspection in a different location in 2020?
2 Answers
In 2020, vehicles can undergo annual inspection in a different location. Since September 1, 2018, China has fully implemented cross-provincial annual inspections for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly apply for and receive the inspection compliance mark in provinces other than where the vehicle is registered, without the need for an entrusted inspection procedure. However, large passenger vehicles and school buses cannot be inspected in a different location and must return to the vehicle's registration location for inspection. For vehicles eligible for the 6-year exemption from inspection, the process must be completed at the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered. Exempted vehicles only need to apply for the annual inspection mark every two years, and now there is an online application function for annual review. Vehicles that meet the 6-year exemption requirements can apply through a mobile app or the comprehensive traffic safety service management platform.
I was also worried about this before. Vehicles from 2020 now fully support out-of-town annual inspections, so there's no need to go back to the registration location. Last year, I had my family car inspected at a local testing station in another city, and the whole process went smoothly. Just bring your ID card, vehicle license, and compulsory traffic insurance policy, and book an appointment online at a nearby testing site. The testing station will verify the vehicle information online and check routine items like lights and brakes. If there are any outstanding traffic violations, remember to settle them first; otherwise, the inspection won’t pass. This policy has been promoted nationwide since 2018, and the unified inspection system is indeed hassle-free, saving time and fuel costs from long-distance travel. I recommend booking early to avoid peak periods and ensure completion within a day without affecting daily car use. It’s both safe and convenient, and car owners should take advantage of this user-friendly measure to reduce their burden.
