Does the vehicle annual inspection require the owner to go in person?
3 Answers
Vehicle annual inspection does not require the owner to go in person. The required documents for vehicle annual inspection include: the vehicle, driving license, original and duplicate copies, and a valid compulsory traffic insurance policy. Situations where the vehicle cannot participate in the inspection include: 1. The vehicle condition does not match the driving license or archive records; 2. The license plate or driving license is damaged, incomplete, illegible, or self-made; 3. The vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or undergone technical transformation without approval and change procedures. The inspection items include: 1. Checking whether the engine, chassis, body, and their accessories are clean, complete, and effective, whether the paint is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether the main assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records; 2. Testing whether the vehicle's braking, lighting, exhaust, and other safety performances meet the requirements of relevant regulations.
When I previously handled my vehicle's annual inspection, I specifically checked the regulations, and the owner does not need to be present in person for the inspection. To authorize someone else to handle it, three items are required: the original ID card of the owner (if unavailable, a copy plus a power of attorney will suffice), the original and duplicate of the vehicle's registration certificate, and a valid copy of the compulsory traffic insurance. The power of attorney must clearly state the agent's information and the tasks to be handled, and it can be either handwritten or printed. This process is generally consistent nationwide, though some cities may require the agent to bring their ID card as well. Inspection stations are very familiar with non-owner operations, and as long as the materials are complete, the vehicle can be inspected directly. The process for out-of-town annual inspections is the same; just remember to check the specific requirements of the local inspection station in advance.
Last month, I just helped a friend with the annual vehicle inspection, and from personal experience, the owner doesn't need to be present at all. Just prepare a copy of the owner's ID card, bring the vehicle registration certificate and insurance policy. The inspection station required a letter of authorization, so I simply wrote a note explaining the proxy relationship and signed my friend's name—done. The whole process took half an hour, and the staff were very familiar with the proxy procedures. However, there's one detail to note: if the vehicle has any unresolved traffic violations, the inspection station's system will automatically reject the application. In such cases, the owner must first pay the fine on the 12123 traffic management app before proceeding. Now, with the new inspection regulations relaxed for vehicles under ten years old, proxy services have become even more convenient.
