Do I still need to display the 2021 vehicle inspection sticker?
3 Answers
In 2021, it is no longer necessary to display the annual vehicle inspection sticker, as vehicles are not required to show any physical stickers since that year. Starting from June 2020, China has implemented the digitalization of annual inspection stickers nationwide. Now when vehicle owners complete their annual inspection, they will not receive a paper inspection sticker. Instead, owners can directly obtain the electronic inspection sticker through the 12123 traffic management app. For owners who have obtained the electronic inspection sticker, it holds the same validity as the paper version. During traffic police checks, presenting the electronic inspection sticker is sufficient. For vehicles under 6 years old, owners need to apply for the annual inspection sticker every two years at the vehicle management office, though online application is also an option. For vehicles older than 6 years but less than 10 years, the inspection frequency has been relaxed from annual to biennial checks. This means only two on-site inspections are required within 10 years - at the 6th and 8th year marks, effective from November 20, 2020. Vehicles over 10 years old continue with annual inspections. As for vehicles older than 15 years, semi-annual inspections are mandatory to ensure roadworthiness.
Vehicle inspection is much more convenient now. I just helped a friend with it last year. Since 2021, there's no need to stick paper labels anymore, you can directly check the electronic version on the Traffic Management 12123 APP. But remember to keep your vehicle license and insurance policy ready, as police now scan QR codes to check electronic labels. The other day I was stopped by traffic police on the road, and just a quick scan on my phone passed the inspection. Another advantage of electronic labels is they don't fade from sun or rain - those old paper labels stuck on the windshield would turn white and become unreadable after half a year. Of course, those who prefer paper labels can still print them out and keep them in the car, but the authorities say it's completely unnecessary.
My neighbor just asked me about this the other day. It's no longer necessary to display physical inspection stickers. The policy to digitize vehicle inspection certificates was implemented nationwide by mid-2020 and fully rolled out across the country in 2021. When stopped for a traffic check, simply open the Traffic Management 12123 app and locate the electronic inspection certificate under the 'Electronic Certificates' section. However, remember that annual vehicle inspections must still be completed on time, otherwise the electronic certificate becomes invalid. Personally, I make it a habit to check the app after each annual inspection and notice the system automatically updates the validity period of the electronic certificate. This reform is truly convenient - it used to be such a hassle removing those expired stickers from the windshield.
