How Early Can You Obtain the Annual Inspection Sticker?
4 Answers
You can obtain the annual inspection sticker up to three months in advance. According to the regulations on motor vehicle registration, the owner of a motor vehicle may apply for the inspection compliance sticker at the local vehicle management office up to three months before the expiration of the current inspection validity period. Before applying, the vehicle owner must resolve all traffic violations and accidents related to the vehicle. Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for all vehicles that have obtained formal license plates and registration certificates. It is equivalent to an annual 'health check' for the vehicle based on the technical safety requirements for motor vehicle operation, aiming to promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage better vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.
I just did this last month, you can collect the annual inspection sticker three months in advance. This time is calculated backward from the expiration date marked on your vehicle license. For example, if your car expires on September 30th, you can go handle it on July 1st. I recommend doing it a bit early because sometimes there are long queues at the DMV. Bring your vehicle license and the original copy of the compulsory traffic insurance policy. Nowadays, many places allow you to make an appointment on the Traffic Management 12123 APP to avoid a wasted trip. Remember to check if there are any unpaid traffic fines, otherwise you might waste time discovering it on-site. Getting it done early means you won’t have to worry about late fees or penalty points.
Now you can apply for the annual inspection sticker 90 days in advance, which is exactly three months. When I went to the DMV last week to handle this, the staff specifically reminded me to check the validity of the compulsory traffic insurance, which must still be active. Many cities now offer electronic stickers, but if you need a paper version, you still have to go in person to collect it. It's advisable to avoid the peak period at the end of the month; it's best to go on a weekday morning when there are fewer people. You might as well do a full vehicle inspection while you're there, since the annual inspection includes checks on lights and brakes. This time, I went two months in advance, and the whole process took only half an hour.
You can go to the DMV 90 days in advance to handle the annual inspection sticker, which is a fixed time window after the implementation of the new regulations. You need to bring the original vehicle registration certificate and a copy of the valid compulsory traffic insurance. If the vehicle is over six years old, it also requires an on-site inspection. Last time I went two weeks in advance, but the system upgrade delayed it for two days. So it's recommended not to wait until the last few days; going one month in advance is more reliable. Nowadays, many inspection stations are also open on weekends, so working professionals can go on Saturdays.
