Do I Still Need to Display the Annual Inspection Sticker for Sedans?
3 Answers
Sedans still require the display of the annual inspection sticker. Below are relevant details regarding the annual inspection: 1. Conditions: Vehicles whose condition does not match the records on the driving license or registration file; vehicles with damaged, incomplete, or illegible license plates or driving licenses, or those with self-made license plates. 2. Precautions: The vehicle's exterior must not be modified. The tint of window sunshade or anti-explosion films should not be too dark (items inside the vehicle should be visible from one meter away; this mainly applies to vans and trucks, while sedans with five seats or fewer are exempt). Vans and trucks must have enlarged rear license plate numbers. The number of leaf springs must not be altered. The number of seats in vans must not be increased or decreased. A fire extinguisher is required. The cargo box of box trucks must not be modified (no side doors, roof openings, or tailgates can be added). Tire size must not be changed, and the tread patterns of tires on the same axle must be consistent. Vehicles with unresolved traffic violations or those impounded by the court are not eligible for annual inspection.
I've also been looking into this matter recently. In the past, it was indeed required to affix that round annual inspection sticker on the upper right corner of the windshield, but the policy changed long ago. Starting from June 2020, electronic inspection labels have been implemented nationwide, and now passenger cars no longer need to display paper labels at all. The specific procedure involves binding vehicle information in the Traffic Management 12123 App, and the system automatically updates the electronic label after the annual inspection. However, the mobile app will send push notifications before the inspection expires, so make sure not to forget to get your vehicle inspected on time. Once, my friend went on a cross-province road trip, and when the traffic police checked his vehicle, they directly asked him to show the electronic label in his phone. They scanned the QR code to verify its validity. This change is indeed convenient – after removing the old sticker, the windshield looks much cleaner, and there's no more worry about the label fading or obstructing the view. Of course, some older car owners might habitually print it out and keep it in the glove compartment as a backup, but the regulations clearly state that displaying it is no longer mandatory.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, I've clearly felt the convenience brought by policy changes in recent years. I remember a decade ago when windshields were plastered with three mandatory stickers, but now the annual inspection labels have gone completely digital. Just complete vehicle binding on the Traffic Management 12123 app, and your inspection information updates in real-time - simply show your phone during roadside checks. Last year during my vehicle inspection, I specifically asked staff and confirmed paper labels have been completely phased out, even insurance companies no issue compulsory traffic insurance stickers. However, I recommend saving a screenshot of your valid inspection in your phone gallery in case of poor signal in mountainous areas. One important note: while physical stickers aren't required, failing to complete inspections on time still incurs a 200 yuan fine and 3 penalty points. Even new vehicles enjoying 6-year exemption need to apply for electronic markers online every two years - never assume exemption means you can ignore this entirely.
