Does a car need an annual inspection in its ninth year?
3 Answers
No, here are the detailed explanations: Introduction: For private cars (excluding vans) over 6 years but under 10 years old, the annual inspection cycle has been adjusted to once every two years. This means inspections are required in the 6th and 8th years, while the 7th and 9th years do not require inspections. Expansion: The new regulations for motor vehicle annual inspections came into effect on November 20, 2020. Previously, inspections needed to be conducted again within the validity period of the annual inspection. However, after this inspection, the vehicle can obtain an annual inspection certificate valid for two years according to the new regulations. It is important to note that for private cars over 10 years old, the original inspection cycle still applies, i.e., once a year for cars between 10 and 15 years old, and once every six months for cars over 15 years old.
My car has just entered its ninth year. Last August, I made a special trip to the inspection station, only to be told by the staff that under the new policy, no on-site inspection is required in the ninth year. According to the Ministry of Transport's regulations, mandatory on-site inspections are only required in the 6th and 8th years, while the 7th and 9th years just require applying for an electronic inspection label. This exemption doesn't mean complete neglect—you still need to complete the procedure online or via the Traffic Management 12123 app, ensuring there are no traffic violations or irregularities to obtain the label. I remember last time I forgot this step and got fined a small amount. This exemption saves us car owners a lot of time—just spend a few minutes to get it done—but we must remind ourselves to clear all pending issues before the deadline. When driving long-term, minor issues can easily be overlooked, so regularly checking brakes and lights is a good habit. Overall, the ninth year indeed doesn't require an on-site inspection, but don't get lazy about it.
Recently, I've done a lot of research online, and the updated annual inspection rules are quite convenient. In the 9th year, vehicles no longer require an on-site inspection, just apply for the exemption inspection compliance sticker. The policy details are: the first on-site inspection is in the 6th year, another in the 8th year, and by the 9th year, the physical vehicle inspection is waived. However, it's important to promptly handle any traffic violations and renew your insurance, which can be done easily via a mobile app. Failure to apply for the sticker may result in fines if caught by traffic police and could affect insurance claims. I've seen a neighbor neglect this and face difficulties after a minor accident. The new regulations aim to reduce burdens, which I find reasonable, as safety largely depends on regular maintenance, like replacing worn-out tires when necessary.
