How Many Years Are Exempt from Inspection for Small Cars, and Which Year Requires an Inspection?
3 Answers
Small passenger cars are exempt from inspection for the first 2 years and require an inspection in the seventh year. Additionally, they must undergo an annual inspection every 2 years within the first 6 years. Below is relevant information about small car inspections: 1. Rules for small car inspections: According to Article 16 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," effective from July 1, 2018, motor vehicles must undergo safety technical inspections within the following periods from the date of registration: passenger vehicles for commercial use must be inspected annually within the first 5 years, and every 6 months after exceeding 5 years, etc. 2. Rules for vehicle inspection labels: Starting from June 20, 2020, electronic vehicle inspection labels have been implemented nationwide. Electronic inspection labels are issued through the unified national internet traffic safety service platform. Vehicle owners can apply for electronic inspection labels via the internet traffic safety service platform or the "Traffic Management 12123" mobile app.
New car owners might be curious about this, and as someone who has been driving for over a decade, I’d like to share some insights. For small vehicles, especially non-commercial family cars, the first six years are exempt from on-site inspections. However, don’t forget to apply for the inspection sticker every two years, which can be done online or at the traffic management office—it’s quite convenient. Once the exemption period ends, starting from the sixth year, the vehicle must undergo on-site inspections, including checks on lights, brakes, and other items. After that, inspections are required every two years, and once the car reaches ten years, it must be inspected annually. Why is this? New cars have fewer issues in the early years, saving the hassle of on-site inspections, but older cars pose higher risks, and inspections help prevent safety hazards. From my personal experience, it’s best to book an appointment in advance and not delay. Maintaining good driving habits can extend the ease of the exemption period. Of course, inspection fees aren’t high—just a few hundred yuan—but the main benefit is the assurance of safety. It’s highly recommended to use the Traffic Management 12123 app for handling these matters; it saves time and effort, and you won’t have to worry about fines for expired inspections.
Last year when I went for my vehicle inspection, I finally learned these rules, which are actually quite simple. For small cars, the first six years are exempt from on-site testing, and you only need to collect the inspection sticker every two years. Starting from the sixth year, on-site testing is mandatory, followed by an inspection every two years. After ten years, you must inspect annually. I drive a city commuter car, and I was a bit nervous during the sixth-year on-site inspection, but the process turned out to be smooth: driving to the inspection station took only half an hour, mainly checking emissions and safety systems. The exemption period saves us money and time, but don’t neglect maintenance—things like tire wear should be addressed early. For related matters, I recommend frequently checking the vehicle manual and handling insurance renewals accordingly. Safety comes first—getting caught driving without an inspection isn’t worth it. Make it a habit to handle it every two years to avoid trouble from forgetfulness. I’ve learned this the hard way, so I remind everyone to act early.