Is it necessary to display an insurance decal on a car?
3 Answers
In some regions, it is not required to display the compulsory traffic insurance decal. Since 2019, certain cities in China have implemented an electronic policy system, meaning vehicle owners in these areas no longer need to display the compulsory insurance decal. Traffic police can verify a vehicle's compulsory insurance information through their law enforcement information system terminals. Here are the relevant details: 1. Regions where the policy is implemented: As of now, the policy has only been adopted in Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan, Yichang City, Shanxi, Guangdong, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and a few other areas. Vehicle owners in other regions are still required to display the compulsory insurance decal as per regulations. 2. Penalties for not displaying the insurance decal: (1) According to Article 95 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: If a motor vehicle driven on the road does not display the inspection qualification mark or insurance mark, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the vehicle, notify the party to provide the corresponding license, mark, or complete the required procedures, and may issue a warning or impose a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan. (2) Article 13 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law states: The motor vehicle inspection qualification mark and insurance mark shall be affixed to the upper right corner of the front window of the motor vehicle. Violation of these regulations will result in a fine of 200 yuan. (3) Attachment 2 (Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations) of the Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses, Article 5: Driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying the inspection qualification mark or insurance mark, or without carrying the vehicle license or driving license, will result in a deduction of 1 point.
I remember back in the day when I first started driving, we had to display insurance decals on our cars - those little stickers in the corner of the windshield. That thing proved you had valid auto insurance. If police pulled you over and you didn't have it, at minimum you'd get fined a couple hundred bucks plus points on your license; worst case they could impound your vehicle. Over the years I've learned that properly displaying these decals isn't just about following rules - it's a safety thing too. If there's an accident, responders can quickly verify insurance info on scene, avoiding hassles later. I once saw a friend forget to display theirs and got stopped on the highway, forcing an extra trip to the service center. So now it's second nature to slap on the new decal whenever I renew my insurance - simple peace of mind. Never skip this small step; it's a crucial part of responsible driving.
I asked the same question when I first bought my car. The answer is yes, vehicles usually need to display an insurance decal on the windshield to show they're insured. This is primarily a legal requirement - failing to display it can result in fines or penalty points. I once forgot as a new driver and nearly got a ticket. Traffic police first check the decal during inspections to confirm valid insurance. I recommend regularly checking the decal's clarity to prevent fading or damage that could affect identification. Additionally, displaying the decal has another benefit: it serves as a reminder for insurance renewal deadlines, avoiding lapses. While not a major task, developing this habit early helps new drivers avoid unnecessary trouble - especially during urban rush hours when driving at higher speeds demands extra caution.
