Does a 2020 car need an inspection in 2021?

[DiPenelope]

If the vehicle was inspected before the implementation of the new regulations in 2020, it still needs to undergo the annual inspection as required before the inspection expires in 2021. After the 2021 inspection, a vehicle inspection certificate valid for 2 years will be issued. Below are the details about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Meaning of Annual Inspection: 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 according to the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety." 2. Exemption Policy: Non-commercial small private passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer (including 7 seats) are exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years. However, owners still need to have the exhaust emissions tested within the specified period (usually 2 years), then apply for the inspection compliance mark at the vehicle management office, motor vehicle registration service station, or traffic police substation, and affix it to the upper right corner of the vehicle's front windshield.

[GabrielaFitz]

I bought a new car last year, which happened to be a 2020 model, and went through this process. According to current regulations, non-commercial passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats registered in 2020 do require an annual inspection procedure in 2021. However, you don't need to queue up at the testing station for an on-site inspection. You only need to apply for the exemption inspection label through the Traffic Management 12123 APP or at the vehicle management office window. Remember to bring your vehicle license, ID card, and compulsory traffic insurance policy, and make sure all traffic violations are settled in advance. I processed mine on the mobile app three days before the registration month marked on my vehicle license, and received the new label within three days after approval. Failure to complete the procedure on time will result in the vehicle being considered as overdue for inspection, which may lead to a 200-yuan fine and 1 demerit point, and the insurance company might refuse claims. It's best to prepare the materials one month in advance to avoid any unexpected issues.

[VonLondon]

As a mother of two, I pay special attention to the timeliness of vehicle inspections. For the family car purchased in 2020, the inspection must be completed by the end of the second year. There are two scenarios: if your car was registered in January 2020, the inspection must be done by January 2021; if registered in December, the deadline is December 2021. You can either submit materials online or collect the inspection-exempt sticker at the DMV window—it takes just ten minutes. However, three key points must be noted: keep a copy of valid compulsory traffic insurance, bring the original vehicle license (digital copies are not accepted), and ensure all traffic violations are settled. Missing the deadline may result in fines and insurance invalidation, so setting a phone reminder is highly recommended.

[Mario]

Our family car purchased in 2020 underwent its annual inspection in 2021. According to current regulations, new vehicles within six years only need to apply for an inspection exemption decal every two years. When preparing materials, note that the compulsory traffic insurance policy must be a duplicate copy—the original won't work; for app operations, photos must be taken directly facing the text; any traffic violations must be cleared first. Nowadays, it's convenient as the 12123 app allows the entire process to be completed online, with the decal mailed to your home. However, late submission carries serious consequences—not only a 200 yuan fine but also potential insurance claim rejection in case of accidents. It's advisable to check the registration month on the vehicle license and complete the process at least two weeks in advance for safety.

[DiCamille]

Last year, I helped a neighbor with a similar situation. He bought the car in 2020, and in 2021, he only needed to apply for an electronic inspection exemption mark instead of a physical inspection. The key is timing: handle it in the month corresponding to the vehicle registration date on the driving license, as exceeding the deadline is a violation. It's recommended to complete the online operation before the registration month, requiring uploads of both sides of the ID card, the compulsory traffic insurance policy, and photos of the vehicle identification number. Special attention should be paid to ensuring the insurance policy's validity covers the following year; otherwise, it will be rejected and require resubmission. The entire process saves two hours compared to the old policy, but forgetting to handle it can result in point deductions, fines, or even affect future transfers. It's best to set a reminder date on your phone calendar.

[EloiseDella]

Our car club often discusses the new annual inspection policies. For vehicles registered in 2020, the exemption procedure must be processed in 2021. There are two methods: online submission via the traffic management APP with documents awaiting review, or offline by bringing complete documents to the DMV for immediate processing. Key deadlines to note: the procedure must be completed within the registration month, otherwise it will be treated as overdue; the compulsory traffic insurance must be valid; all traffic violation records must be cleared. I've seen a club member fined 200 yuan for being three days late, so it's safest to process it 30 days in advance. Currently, APP reviews are typically completed within 48 hours, saving half a day of queue time compared to previous years.