How Many Years Does a Car Need to Be Inspected Twice a Year?
3 Answers
Cars over 15 years old require biannual inspections. For family-owned small passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, there is a 6-year exemption from on-site inspections from the date of purchase. However, owners must still collect the annual inspection sticker and environmental protection sticker from the vehicle management office every two years. After 6 years, vehicles need to be inspected annually. Annual inspection refers to the safety inspection conducted every year or every two years. The vehicle inspection process is as follows: 1. Bring your driver's license, ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and valid compulsory traffic insurance policy; 2. Fill out the annual vehicle inspection application form at the vehicle management office; 3. After payment, the staff will conduct an exterior inspection of the vehicle, so prepare a fire extinguisher and warning triangle; 4. Take the passed form to the designated window to collect the annual inspection sticker and green environmental protection inspection sticker, completing the inspection.
Having driven for over thirty years, I've found that the frequency of vehicle annual inspections is actually quite easy to remember. For ordinary private cars, within the first six years after new car registration, you only need to apply for an inspection emblem every two years without going to the testing station for an on-site inspection. After six to ten years, a full inspection is required annually; for cars older than ten years, it's also an annual inspection. I've never heard of any mandatory requirement for biannual inspections. However, for older vehicles, say those over ten years, I make it a habit to conduct a simple check on key components every six months: brake pad wear, tire pressure, and whether the lights are functioning properly. Safety is no trivial matter, and prevention is always better than cure. Regular maintenance is more practical than increasing the frequency of annual inspections, as older components are prone to issues, and early detection can prevent sudden failures. Adopting this habit has made driving more reassuring, and the cost isn't high either.
From a professional perspective, China's vehicle annual inspection system is clearly defined. Small non-commercial passenger vehicles enjoy a 6-year exemption period after registration, requiring only biennial inspection label applications. Between 6 to 10 years, they must undergo comprehensive annual inspections. Vehicles over 10 years old still require annual inspections. The mandatory regulations do not stipulate biannual inspections. However, for older vehicles (10+ years), I recommend owners voluntarily conduct additional semi-annual checks covering brake systems, suspension, and electrical issues. These components wear faster with vehicle age, and delayed repairs pose significant risks. In actual repair scenarios, we frequently encounter accidents caused by such neglect. Hence, I emphasize the value of proactive maintenance - it's cost-effective safety insurance that prevents major future repairs.
