Do 8-year-old vehicles exempt from inspection still need to apply for the annual inspection sticker?
3 Answers
Vehicles in their eighth year are not exempt from inspection and require an on-site inspection at the vehicle management office before obtaining the annual inspection sticker. Therefore, for an eight-year-old vehicle, you should schedule an inspection at the vehicle management office within three months before the inspection expiration date. Alternatively, you can follow the legal dates suggested by the traffic management app 12123 to arrange the inspection. Below are the relevant details: Inspection schedule: Vehicles older than six years no longer qualify for the six-year exemption from on-site inspections. They must undergo an inspection at the vehicle management office every two years after reaching six years of age. After ten years, an annual inspection is required. Once the vehicle passes the inspection at the designated testing station, it will receive an inspection compliance sticker. Consequences of skipping inspection: Missing the inspection deadline places the vehicle in an unregistered status, making it illegal to drive. If caught by traffic police, the owner will face penalties and demerit points. Therefore, it is crucial to complete the inspection on time, especially for vehicles older than six years. Vehicles that fail to undergo inspection for three consecutive cycles will enter the mandatory scrapping process, rendering them unusable. If discovered by traffic police, they will be directly processed for scrapping.
I remember when my car just passed 8 years, I was also a bit confused about whether to get the annual inspection sticker. Actually, according to regulations, vehicles aged between 6 and 10 years must undergo an on-site inspection every two years, and only after passing can you obtain that sticker. The so-called exemption from inspection mostly refers to new vehicles within 6 years being exempt from on-site inspection, but for an 8-year-old car, the inspection process is mandatory. If you drive without the sticker, you could be fined by traffic police, which is troublesome. Nowadays, applying online is super convenient—just register on the "Traffic Management 12123" app, upload photos of your vehicle, ID card, etc., pay a few dozen yuan, and it’ll be mailed to your home. Last time I did it, it only took me half an hour—no need to queue at the inspection station, and it ensures your car’s lights and braking system are in good condition. Regular checks on these small details can prevent major accidents, making for the safest trips.
Having been in the car community for a long time, I'm very familiar with the annual inspection policies. For 8-year-old vehicles, they are not exempt from inspection. The new regulations require them to pass an on-site inspection every two years before applying for the annual inspection sticker. The term 'exemption' often leads to the misconception that it only applies to vehicles under 6 years old. Don't take it lightly—applying for the sticker is a legal obligation to ensure the vehicle meets safety standards. Online processing is efficient; the 12123 app allows you to complete it with one click, saving you the hassle of going in person and avoiding overdue fines. For example, aging vehicles are prone to wiring issues, so getting the sticker after inspection gives peace of mind. I recommend preparing the documents a week in advance to avoid delays.
