Do I need to go to the DMV in the second year of the two-year vehicle inspection exemption?
4 Answers
No need to go to the DMV. Vehicles that meet the exemption requirements do not require on-site inspection at the DMV within the first two years for new cars. You only need to apply for the inspection compliance mark online. For approved vehicles, you can check the electronic inspection mark credential at any time to view the annual inspection mark, eliminating the need to affix a paper annual inspection mark. Additional information: Notes for new vehicle annual inspection: New car owners can apply for the inspection compliance mark at the local vehicle management office within 3 months before the expiration of the motor vehicle inspection validity period. The deadline for annual inspection can be found on the supplementary page of the vehicle license, which states the inspection validity period until a certain year and month.
I just went through this last year. Indeed, you don’t need to drive your car to the inspection station and queue up for an on-site test in the second year, but you still have to complete the procedures to receive the inspection compliance sticker. The traffic management department has made it clear: new cars within six years are exempt from on-site inspection for the first two years, but that doesn’t mean you can completely ignore it. I handled it a month in advance on the Traffic Management 12123 App—uploading the compulsory traffic insurance policy and the vehicle and vessel tax certificate. Once the system approved it, the annual inspection sticker was mailed directly to my home. If you prefer visiting a service window, you can go to the vehicle management office’s service hall with just your vehicle license, the owner’s ID card, and a valid compulsory traffic insurance policy, and you’ll get the new sticker in about ten minutes. Remember to settle any outstanding traffic fines beforehand, otherwise, the system will delay the approval process.
I've specifically studied this policy. The exemption in the second year actually waives the vehicle inspection process, but the legal formalities still need to be completed. Recently, while assisting a friend with the procedure, I noticed many people thought they could completely ignore it and ended up getting fined. The correct procedure is: within three months before the vehicle registration certificate's expiration date, choose any weekday to visit the DMV and fill out an application form. You only need to bring three documents: the original ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and duplicate of the vehicle registration certificate, and a duplicate of the compulsory traffic insurance policy that's still valid. The counter staff will verify the information on the spot, and you'll receive the new inspection sticker immediately—remember to affix it to the upper right corner of the windshield. For young people who prefer not to make the trip, using a mobile app is much more convenient.
As someone who has owned three brand-new cars, I want to remind everyone not to misunderstand the exemption policy. In the second year, you indeed don't need emissions testing or checks for lights and brakes, but you must renew the inspection decal. I just completed the process last month: on the Traffic Management 12123 APP, click 'Apply for Inspection Exemption Decal', upload a screenshot of your electronic insurance policy, and the new decal arrived by mail the next day. If the vehicle has modification records or has been involved in major accidents, the system may require an offline verification. Important note: Even if you haven't driven the car at all, you must complete this process. Otherwise, exceeding the registration month on the vehicle license will be considered as overdue inspection, and if caught, you'll face point deductions and fines.
