Do I Still Need to Stick the Insurance Sticker on the Windshield?
3 Answers
Insurance stickers no longer need to be affixed to the windshield. With the implementation of electronic insurance, compulsory traffic insurance information can now be directly checked online. Some cities have already completed the transition to electronic insurance policies. In these cities, after purchasing insurance, you only need to present the electronic policy, and no paper stickers will be mailed. If no electronic policy is mailed, neither will an electronic insurance sticker be sent, so there's no need to stick anything on the front windshield. During traffic checks for the absence of paper stickers, simply presenting either the electronic policy or a paper insurance sticker will suffice, and no penalties will be imposed. As electronic policies are rolled out nationwide, simply entering the license plate number will allow you to view the status of the electronic policy. Once synchronized with the system, vehicle annual inspections can directly reflect the validity periods of compulsory traffic insurance and vehicle and vessel tax. When required to present an insurance policy, both electronic and paper versions hold the same legal validity. You can print the received electronic policy as a document to keep in the car for inspection purposes or simply save it on your phone to display when necessary.
Old-time drivers may remember the days when windshields were cluttered with various stickers, including the blue insurance proof decal. Having driven for over 20 years, I used to dread the annual hassle of dealing with these stickers during vehicle inspections. Thanks to technological advancements, most regions now implement electronic insurance policies, eliminating the need for windshield stickers altogether. With just a mobile app, you can instantly display your insurance information, and traffic police can verify it by scanning a QR code during checks. Last month at the 4S dealership, they explained that this digital shift aims to reduce paper waste for environmental protection, minimize visual obstruction from excessive stickers, and eliminate potential hazards during accidents. While a few remote areas might still be transitioning, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai have long abandoned the sticker requirement. This time-saving convenience truly addresses a longstanding pain point.
As someone who loves researching automotive tech innovations, I really appreciate the trend of digitalizing car insurance. In the past, we had to stick a paper document on the windshield, but now with mobile internet and big data, insurance companies automatically send electronic certificates to the car owner's app. This transformation is frequently discussed in my car enthusiast group—it not only eliminates the hassle of physical stickers but also improves inspection efficiency. Traffic police can instantly verify authenticity by scanning license plates with their devices, reducing fraud risks. I think this is a perfect example of digital reform, and more features might be integrated into telematics systems in the future. Of course, keeping your phone charged and having a backup power bank is essential. In the long run, streamlined processes are especially beginner-driver friendly.
