Has the Environmental Protection Sticker Been Cancelled?

[DeCamille]

The environmental protection sticker has been cancelled. As early as January 1, 2017, the environmental protection department no longer issued the motor vehicle environmental protection inspection qualification mark. In other words, after the new regulations came into effect, the environmental protection inspection qualification mark was abolished. Now, only the motor vehicle inspection qualification mark and compulsory insurance mark need to be affixed to the front windshield of the vehicle. The marks required for a new car on the road are as follows: Temporary License Plate for Motor Vehicles: When a new car has not yet obtained a formal license plate, it needs to display temporary license plates to be driven on the road, with two temporary plates required. One should be affixed to the upper right corner of the front windshield inside the car, in a position that does not obstruct the driver's view, and the other should be affixed to the upper left corner of the rear windshield inside the car. It's important to note that temporary license plates have an expiration date, and formal license plates must be obtained before the temporary ones expire. Compulsory Insurance for Motor Vehicles: Compulsory traffic insurance is a mandatory insurance type for cars. After purchasing this insurance, a compulsory insurance mark will be issued. This insurance mark should be affixed to the upper right corner of the vehicle's front windshield. If a motor vehicle fails to display the inspection qualification mark or insurance mark as required, traffic police may impose a fine.

[VonAdriana]

The cancellation of the environmental protection sticker reminds me of many changes. As someone who has driven for over a decade, every car used to require that small sticker on the windshield, which was quite annoying—it would fade or deteriorate over time, requiring frequent replacements. But around 2016, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai began phasing out the paper version, switching to an electronic record system where license plates and environmental data are linked, automatically verifying compliance during vehicle inspections. Now, when I drive locally, there’s no need for a sticker at all—all the information is stored in the system, and traffic police can check it via cameras. This approach is indeed more convenient, reduces paper waste, and makes life easier for car owners by eliminating obstructed views or lost stickers. However, smaller cities might not have fully adopted this yet, so it’s best to check with the local DMV after buying a car. Overall, it’s a clear trend.

[McVanessa]

I haven't been driving for long, just a few years, but I've always paid attention to the environmental protection sticker. In cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the paper environmental stickers have long been phased out and replaced with electronic management. I remember a few years ago when the policy was announced to promote digitalization, car owners no longer needed to go to the DMV to get stickers—the environmental test results are directly linked to the license plate number and can be checked online. This is great; it simplifies procedures and is also eco-friendly and energy-saving. I've never stuck that little piece of paper on my car, so my windshield stays clean and tidy. But if you live in a rural area, traditional methods might still be in place. I recommend checking the latest notices on your local traffic app or official website to keep up with the times.

[Toni]

I think the cancellation of the environmental protection sticker is a good thing. After driving for so many years, those little stickers were always in the way and a waste of resources. Nowadays, most places have replaced them with electronic systems. For example, during vehicle inspections, environmental data is automatically uploaded to the database, and traffic police can check it in real time, eliminating the hassle of stickers. This not only saves paper but also reduces environmental pollution, and the car windshield looks cleaner. Every time I get my car serviced, I can directly check the electronic report, which is quite convenient.