Does the six-year exemption from inspection include the sixth year?
4 Answers
The six-year exemption from inspection includes the sixth year. In the sixth year, the vehicle needs to undergo an on-site inspection. The six-year exemption only means that the vehicle does not require an on-site inspection, but the owner must collect the inspection mark from the traffic management department every two years. Vehicles eligible for the six-year exemption include non-commercial large, small, and mini cars, as well as non-commercial small and mini passenger vehicles. If the vehicle does not fall into these categories, it must still undergo on-site inspections on time. Vehicles eligible for the six-year exemption policy are: 1. Vehicle types: non-commercial large, small, and mini cars, as well as non-commercial small and mini passenger vehicles. The term "non-commercial" in this policy does not include: police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, engineering rescue vehicles, vehicles converted from commercial to non-commercial use, taxis converted to non-commercial use, two-wheeled motorcycles, and three-wheeled motorcycles. 2. Age: Vehicles that have not been registered for more than four years from the date of manufacture are not eligible for the six-year exemption policy. 3. Accident history: Vehicles that have been involved in accidents resulting in casualties are not eligible for the exemption policy.
I’ve been driving the family sedan for a while, so I’m quite familiar with the six-year exemption from inspection. The policy states that new vehicles are exempt from on-site inspections for the first six years after registration, but listen carefully—this doesn’t include the sixth year itself. This means for the first two years and the fourth year of a new car, you only need to apply for the inspection sticker at the DMV without taking the car to the inspection station, which saves a lot of hassle. However, once the sixth year begins, a full on-site inspection is mandatory because the car enters a critical aging period where wear and tear may become apparent. Why is the policy designed this way? To encourage regular maintenance and prevent last-minute panic when issues arise. Forgetting to apply for the sticker or skipping the inspection on time could result in fines of a few hundred yuan, and renewing insurance might become troublesome—definitely not worth it. My advice to new car owners: clarify the registration date when purchasing, set a phone reminder, and don’t procrastinate until the deadline to avoid delays and safety risks.
As an ordinary car owner, I was also puzzled by this question when I first got a new car. Now I understand that the six-year exemption from inspection doesn't mean the entire six years are exempt. The first few years are a grace period—starting from the date of new car registration, you only need to visit the DMV in the second and fourth years to get a label, without spending time on complex inspections. But strictly speaking, the sixth year is not exempt; you must schedule an appointment to have your vehicle inspected at a testing station. The policy is well-designed, as after five or six years of driving a new car, parts are prone to issues, and inspections ensure safety items like brake light functionality. If you miss it, not only is there a risk of fines, but in case of an accident, the insurance company might deny the claim, leading to big trouble. I make it a habit to check the inspection date during my annual maintenance—developing this habit can help avoid many pitfalls and make car ownership more worry-free.
To put it simply: No, the six-year exemption from inspection does not include the sixth year. For the first two and four years of a new car, you only need to apply for the inspection label without an on-site check. However, in the sixth year, an on-site safety and technical inspection is mandatory, as the vehicle's age increases the risk of potential hazards. The policy aims to simplify procedures for new cars in the early stages, but the sixth year marks the start of regular inspection periods. Remember to handle it on time to avoid any delays in driving.
