Do vehicles still need to display annual inspection stickers?
3 Answers
Currently, vehicles do not need to display annual inspection stickers, but an electronic version of the inspection sticker must be provided. Here are the precautions for vehicle annual inspection: 1. Handle traffic violations before the inspection: Some vehicles receive traffic violation notices but do not address them promptly, leading to accumulated violations by the time of the annual inspection. If the vehicle management office finds any unresolved violations, the vehicle will not pass the inspection. 2. Out-of-town inspection: For out-of-town inspections, the vehicle owner must submit an application, requesting the local vehicle management office to authorize the inspection to be conducted by the vehicle management office at the current location. After the inspection, the results should be reported to the original vehicle management office. Vehicles that cannot undergo the inspection on time due to special circumstances should apply for an extension with the local vehicle management office in advance.
Having driven for many years, it's indeed convenient now that we no longer need to display the annual inspection sticker. I've experienced the era of stickers—they obstructed the view and often fell off due to poor adhesion. Since the nationwide rollout of electronic stickers in 2020, traffic police can check the inspection status by scanning the electronic certificate via the traffic management APP. However, vehicles still require regular inspections—don't slack off, safety comes first. Digitalization has reduced paper waste, benefiting the environment. I recommend car owners download the 12123 APP to keep records updated. Before long trips, it's best to ensure network connectivity to avoid delays due to poor signal. Overall, it's hassle-free and refreshing.
As a new car owner, I feel things are much simpler now. Since buying the car, I've never needed to stick any decals, and neither have my friends—everything's handled electronically. When the police check the car, a quick scan with their phone does the trick—it's efficient and eliminates the hassle of peeling and sticking decals. However, the annual inspection itself shouldn't be overlooked, like ensuring proper checks for lights and brakes. Digitalization keeps the windshield cleaner and more pleasant to look at, reducing all those miscellaneous stickers. I've made it a habit to check the app records every six months while driving daily to ensure nothing expires. Safety remains unchanged.
