Is it necessary to display the annual inspection sticker on a car?
4 Answers
Nowadays, the vehicle annual inspection sticker has been digitized and does not need to be displayed on the car. Here is relevant information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Passenger transport vehicles: Within 5 years: inspected once every year; over 5 years: inspected once every 6 months. 2. Trucks and large/medium-sized non-operating passenger vehicles: Within 10 years: inspected once every year; over 10 years: inspected once every 6 months. 3. Small and mini non-operating passenger vehicles: Within 6 years: inspected once every 2 years; over 6 years: inspected once every year; over 15 years: inspected once every 6 months.
Recently when I went for my vehicle annual inspection, I found that in the past we had to stick the paper inspection sticker on the windshield, but now the policy has changed. Since 2020, China has implemented electronic inspection stickers which can be applied for through the Traffic Management 12123 App, so there's no need to display paper stickers at all. The electronic sticker can be stored in your phone, and traffic police will scan the system to verify it during checks. There are many benefits - it avoids obstructing the driver's view with stickers and reduces paper waste, making it more environmentally friendly. However, some people still prefer to display the sticker out of habit, which is fine, but remember to apply for the electronic version just in case. This extends to other vehicle stickers too, like the compulsory traffic insurance e-documents which follow a similar process. I've switched to electronic versions for everything now - it's convenient and worry-free.
After driving for over a year, I found that digitalization has made things much easier. There's no need to stick the annual inspection sticker anymore; you can handle it directly through an app. Download the Traffic Management 12123 app, enter your license plate number, and you can apply for an electronic inspection certificate to store on your phone or in the cloud. Just show the QR code to the traffic police during a vehicle check. This saves the hassle of buying stickers and worrying about the sticker getting damaged by wind and sun. Actually, this method is smarter—the app can also remind you of the next inspection time to prevent overdue fines. Related benefits include a clearer view and safer driving. I recommend that beginners learn to use the app and also check basic items like tires and lights while they're at it.
Having gone through several annual inspections, I believe whether to display the sticker depends on the situation. It was mandatory in the past, but now it's digitized. I recommend applying for the electronic version and keeping it on your phone. If you don't display the paper version and lack the electronic one when checked, you'll be fined 200 yuan, which really isn't worth it. Expanding a bit on common issues during parking inspections, for example, paper stickers are prone to damage in rainy weather, making the electronic version more reliable. In short, ensuring the app information is accurate is key.
