Is a Letter of Authorization Still Required for Vehicle Inspection in Another Location?
4 Answers
Vehicle inspection in another location no longer requires a Letter of Authorization. Currently, the traffic management authorities have fully implemented cross-province inspection services for small cars, trucks, and medium-sized buses. Applicants can directly undergo inspection and obtain the inspection compliance mark in provinces other than where the vehicle is registered, without needing to go through the authorization process. However, large passenger buses and school buses cannot be inspected in another location and must return to the vehicle's registered location for inspection. Inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-operational passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. After 6 years but less than 10 years, inspection is required every two years; after 10 years but less than 15 years, annual inspection is required; after 15 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years; after 5 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Trucks and large and medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years; after 10 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Imported vehicles, like other vehicle types, can undergo regular inspection at any inspection station. Inspection precautions: Vehicles that fail inspection must be repaired within a specified time limit. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate their license plates and prohibit further driving. Vehicles that do not undergo inspection without reason or fail inspection are not allowed to drive on roads or transfer registration. Vehicles that meet scrapping conditions or exceed the prescribed service life will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, records canceled, and the vehicles scrapped.
I've been driving trucks for over 30 years, frequently on long-distance routes. In the past, cross-regional annual inspections required a mandatory authorization letter, necessitating a special trip back to the local vehicle management office, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Now, policies have been relaxed, with most provinces eliminating the need for authorization letters. Simply bring your ID card, vehicle license, and compulsory insurance policy when getting inspected out-of-town. Why the change? It's part of the national push for digital convenience—systems can now check vehicle information online, reducing the hassle of long queues. However, regional differences still exist, so it's advisable to call the destination vehicle management office beforehand to clarify details and avoid oversights. During inspections, pay extra attention to brake and lighting conditions to ensure safe long-distance driving without hidden risks, making the process worry-free and efficient.
As a novice car owner who frequently travels for work, I was quite confused about out-of-town vehicle inspections. Experienced drivers told me that authorization letters are basically no longer needed now, which is really considerate simplification. Just bring the original and photocopy of your ID card, vehicle license, and compulsory insurance proof, and go directly to the local inspection station without any additional authorization documents. The policy optimization is due to nationwide unified networking, making the process more convenient and saving unnecessary trips. If unsure, checking the local DMV website rules is the safest approach to avoid mistakes that could affect travel plans and budget.
Having worked in car maintenance for over a decade, I've handled numerous owner consultations. The current trend is that out-of-town annual inspections no longer require a letter of authorization—just bring the necessary documents: a copy of the vehicle registration, valid ID, and compulsory insurance policy. The system can synchronize information and process it automatically. This step is eliminated due to regulatory upgrades, making inspections more efficient and faster. Additionally, I always remind owners to check tire pressure and fluid levels before the inspection to ensure passing in one go without rework. Safety comes first—don't take it lightly.
