How often is motor vehicle inspection required?
2 Answers
Motor vehicles within 6 years are exempt from inspection. For vehicles older than 6 years but within 7-15 years, an annual inspection is required. Vehicles older than 15 years require inspection every six months. Here is some information about motor vehicle inspection: 1. Laws and Regulations: Article 15 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" states that motor vehicle safety technical inspections shall be conducted by motor vehicle safety technical inspection institutions. These institutions must inspect motor vehicles in accordance with national motor vehicle safety technical inspection standards and bear legal responsibility for the inspection results. 2. Required Documents: Prepare the original and duplicate of the vehicle license, proof of vehicle and vessel usage tax, original insurance card, original ID card, and check for any traffic violation records, which should be promptly addressed if found.
I was quite confused about this issue when I first bought my car. Now I understand that vehicle inspections are generally required every two years for the first six years after a new car is registered. Once the car is over six years old, it needs to be inspected annually. I remember my first time driving to the inspection station—I wasted almost a whole day there because I didn’t know the process, and the mechanic even pointed out a minor issue with my brake lights, so I had to fix it and redo the inspection. This is really not something to take lightly. Annual inspections aren’t just a formality—they check emissions, tire wear, and lighting safety. If you forget, getting pulled over by traffic police and fined is the least of your worries; having your car impounded is a real hassle. I recommend that new drivers download a vehicle management app in advance to set reminders. Before the inspection, do a quick self-check of your lights and brake pads to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. After all, safe driving is about being responsible for your family. My kid relies on me for school drop-offs and pickups, and I definitely don’t want anything to go wrong on the road.
