How often should vehicles undergo annual inspections nowadays?
3 Answers
According to the relevant provisions of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law", Article 16: Motor vehicles shall undergo safety technical inspections according to the following periods from the date of registration: 1. For passenger transport vehicles, an annual inspection is required within the first 5 years; after 5 years, an inspection every 6 months is required. 2. For trucks and large or medium-sized non-passenger transport vehicles, an annual inspection is required within the first 10 years; after 10 years, an inspection every 6 months is required. 3. For small and mini non-passenger transport vehicles, an inspection every 2 years is required within the first 6 years; after 6 years, an annual inspection is required; after 15 years, an inspection every 6 months is required. 4. Motorcycles within the first 6 years are exempt from inspections at inspection institutions; when periodic inspection is required, the vehicle owner can directly apply for the inspection compliance mark at the traffic management department of the public security authority. 5. Tractors and other motor vehicles require an annual inspection. If a commercial motor vehicle passes the safety technical inspection within the specified inspection period, it does not need to undergo repeated safety technical inspections. 6. Vehicles that have exceeded the scrapping age cannot be transferred (sold or bought), but can continue to be used; for sales, the vehicle owner can first apply for the vehicle's scrapping certificate (canceling the vehicle's record) at the vehicle management office, and then proceed with the sale.
I just bought my SUV last year, and the annual inspection process is quite straightforward: For the first 6 years, new vehicles don’t need to go to an offline inspection station. Instead, you only need to apply for an electronic inspection label every 2 years via a mobile app—completely exempt from on-site checks, saving both time and fuel costs. My car is only in its second year, so I followed the prompts on the 12123 App and got it done in just a few minutes. However, note that between 6-10 years, you’ll need to take your car in for an inspection every 2 years to check for aging issues like lights and brakes. For cars over 10 years old, the risk is higher, so an annual inspection is mandatory. My friend’s older car was overdue last year, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and demerit points—definitely not worth it. So, regularly checking for traffic violations, bringing your insurance policy and vehicle license, and booking a weekend morning slot to avoid long queues are must-dos. Annual inspections aren’t just about saving money—they’re crucial for family safety. I’d advise new car owners to mark the dates early and not take it lightly.
I've been in auto repair for over a decade. Vehicle inspection frequency follows a three-tier system based on vehicle age: Newly registered vehicles under 6 years are exempt from on-site inspections but require biennial label issuance; vehicles aged 6-10 years need biennial physical inspections focusing on chassis and emission systems; vehicles over 10 years must undergo annual inspections with emphasis on brake and steering wear. This is because aging components are prone to failure - annual checks help detect issues early (e.g., lighting malfunctions or loose wheel bearings) to prevent accidents. Don't wait until the deadline as testing stations get crowded; just bring your vehicle license and compulsory insurance documents. The cost is reasonable (about 100 yuan per inspection), but late fees double and pose risks. Safety always comes first - timely inspections ensure longer, safer vehicle operation.
