Do I need to replace the annual inspection sticker for a new car after one year?
2 Answers
New cars do not require replacement of the annual inspection sticker after one year, as they are exempt from annual inspections for the first 6 years. However, you must collect the annual inspection sticker every two years. Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for all vehicles that have obtained official license plates and registration certificates, equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle. The steps to obtain the annual inspection sticker are as follows: 1. Before collecting the sticker, ensure all traffic violations have been settled in advance; 2. Bring your ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and proof of vehicle and vessel tax payment; 3. Visit the vehicle management office to fill out the application form for the motor vehicle inspection sticker; 4. Submit the form and all required documents, then wait for the staff to process and print the inspection date before receiving the sticker.
I also wondered about this when I got my new car in the first year. The policy has long changed—since 2019, electronic inspection labels have been promoted nationwide, so there's no need to stick the annual inspection decal at all! Our new cars enjoy a six-year exemption from physical inspection, but exemption doesn't mean you can ignore it completely. Three months before the second-year deadline, you need to apply for the electronic label on the 12123 app. Last year, a colleague forgot to apply and got caught by an electronic police camera, resulting in a 50-yuan fine. As long as you handle violations on the app on time, the traffic police system automatically links the inspection label. During random checks, just show your electronic driver's license. By the way, if you often travel out of town and worry about poor signal, it's safer to take a screenshot and save it on your phone.
