Is it acceptable not to display the motor vehicle inspection sticker?
4 Answers
It is acceptable not to display the motor vehicle inspection sticker since electronic inspection labels were fully implemented in 2020, replacing the paper version of the annual inspection sticker. Electronic inspection labels hold the same legal validity as the paper annual inspection stickers. In provinces and cities where electronic inspection labels have been implemented, the display of the inspection sticker is no longer required. However, in regions where electronic inspection labels have not yet been implemented, the inspection sticker must still be displayed. According to Article 13 of the Implementing Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law: The motor vehicle inspection sticker and insurance sticker should be affixed to the upper right corner of the vehicle's front windshield. Failure to display the relevant vehicle stickers as required is a violation of the law.
I never paid much attention to this before until I was stopped by traffic police and realized the seriousness. Not displaying the inspection sticker is a traffic violation that carries a 200 yuan fine and 1 penalty point. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to display mine. Actually, many cities now implement electronic stickers which can be checked via the 12123 traffic management app. Places like Zhejiang and Guangdong have already phased out paper stickers. But if your region hasn't adopted the digital policy yet, it's safer to properly display the physical sticker on the upper right corner of your windshield - besides avoiding fines, it prevents disputes during accident claims. Regularly checking the sticker's condition is important; replace it immediately if damaged. Don't consider it a hassle!
After driving for so many years, I've seen quite a few car owners suffer because of this. The inspection sticker must be affixed to the upper right corner of the windshield as required, otherwise you'll definitely get a ticket if caught by traffic cameras or during spot checks. My neighbor was fined 200 yuan last year because he insisted keeping it in the glove box counted as having it, but the traffic police didn't accept that. Although some provinces have switched to electronic stickers now, you need to confirm whether your city is on the pilot list first. If you still have old inspection stickers on your windshield, remember to remove them promptly, as too many can obstruct your view. It's best to develop the habit of sticking the new one on the same day after each annual inspection - that's the safest approach.
It depends on the situation. Since last year, many provinces have been piloting electronic inspection labels. For example, car owners in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu can display the electronic version through an app, eliminating the need for paper labels entirely. However, if you are in a region that hasn't adopted electronic labels or if you drive a commercial vehicle, you are required by regulation to place the paper label on the upper right corner of the windshield. If you fail to do so, you will definitely be fined during a traffic police inspection, and I've heard that points may also be deducted. Personally, I think it's better to spend a few seconds sticking it on properly rather than worrying about it and risking trouble. Just make sure to remove old labels promptly, as layering them can affect driving safety and isn't worth the risk.
