How often does a new car need an annual inspection?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios for the annual inspection of a new passenger car: one qualifies for a 6-year exemption, while the other requires an on-site inspection. The conditions for the 6-year exemption are: 1. The vehicle must be non-commercial; 2. The approved seating capacity must be 6 or fewer; 3. The vehicle type specified on the registration certificate (micro ordinary passenger car, micro off-road passenger car, small ordinary passenger car); 4. The vehicle must be registered within 4 years from the date of manufacture. The conditions requiring on-site inspection include: 1. Commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years, and every 6 months thereafter; 2. Trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years.
As a young person who just bought a car, I find the annual inspection for new cars quite straightforward. For the first 6 years after registration, new cars are exempt from on-site testing, meaning no actual inspection hassle. However, before the end of the second and fourth years, you need to go to the DMV to apply for the annual inspection sticker. Just bring your vehicle registration, ID card, and insurance policy, and it takes about 10 minutes to complete—saving you from fines. Starting from the sixth year, an annual on-site inspection is required to check brakes, lights, emissions, etc. I set a phone reminder to avoid missing the deadline, as delays can affect insurance claims. New cars have fewer issues in the first few years, but regular checks provide peace of mind, especially for long highway trips, preventing unexpected problems. Proactively inspecting tires and lights also saves trouble by ensuring a one-time pass. Remember the rules, act on time, and enjoy both safety and convenience.
