Can You Drive Without the Annual Inspection Sticker?

[Gary]

Driving without the annual inspection sticker is not allowed. Vehicles with damaged or missing annual inspection stickers will be penalized by traffic police if driven on the road. Vehicle Annual Inspection Process: Inspection Station: Drive the vehicle to the nearest inspection station. Visual Inspection and Information Registration: Undergo a vehicle visual inspection, cooperate with staff to fill out the motor vehicle appearance registration form, and take photos. Information registration. Online Vehicle Inspection: Emissions test, speedometer test, brake test, lighting test, side slip test, chassis inspection. Receive Sticker: Obtain the inspection pass sticker and affix it to the upper right corner of the front windshield.

[CooperLee]

As an ordinary driver with years of experience, I've had a few instances where stickers fell off. If the annual inspection sticker is lost, you absolutely cannot drive on the road because, according to Chinese regulations, not displaying a valid annual inspection certificate is illegal. If caught by traffic police, you will be fined and have points deducted, with the penalty possibly reaching 200 yuan or even more. I recommend stopping the vehicle immediately and going to the local vehicle management office to get a replacement sticker. Just bring your ID card and vehicle registration certificate, fill out a form, and they usually process it the same day. Otherwise, continuing to drive is not only dangerous but could also affect the next round of annual inspection, and you'll be in trouble if caught by traffic cameras. The annual vehicle inspection is meant to check if brakes, lights, etc., are safe, and the sticker proves the vehicle is compliant. Without it, even insurance claims might be difficult. Don't take chances; safety should always come first.

[CorbinLynn]

You need to act quickly in such situations. I believe the right choice is not to drive out without the sticker and head straight to the DMV. Bring your ID and the original or copy of the vehicle registration, fill out a simple form to apply for a replacement sticker, and it usually takes about an hour to get it done and reapply. If you drive without it, the surveillance system might automatically detect the missing sticker, and if the police pull you over, the consequences could be unpleasant—fines or warnings. Also, remember that the annual inspection sticker is one of the compliance certificates. If it’s missing and you get into a collision, the insurance company might use it as a reason to deny your claim. Make it a habit to check the sticker’s placement when washing your car, ensuring it’s securely attached to the lower right corner of the windshield. Letting a small issue turn into a big problem isn’t worth it.

[LaLayla]

Last time the sticker fell off inexplicably, I thought I could still manage to drive but ended up getting fined. Parked by the roadside, the police saw it, confiscated my license, and gave me a lecture. Although no points were deducted, I spent unnecessary money to learn a lesson: if it's lost, go and replace it immediately without hesitation. The DMV has a dedicated window to assist, just bring your ID and quickly get a new inspection sticker. Continuing to drive poses high risks and can easily cause accidents, affecting both your own and others' road safety.

[VonElena]

From a legal perspective, vehicles must cease operation if the annual inspection sticker is lost and a replacement must be obtained. Traffic regulations require all vehicles to display a valid annual inspection label on the windshield. Driving without it constitutes a violation, subject to a fine of approximately 200 yuan by traffic police, along with a warning or even penalty points. It is advisable to promptly visit the vehicle management office to apply for a replacement, bringing all necessary documents to avoid schedule disruptions. Vehicles must pass annual inspections to ensure systems like lights and tires meet standards before being driven. Neglecting such a minor matter as the sticker can lead to serious consequences.