Is it necessary to go to the vehicle management office where the license was issued for the annual inspection?
3 Answers
No, vehicles can be inspected in a different location, but a letter of authorization for inspection must be obtained from the local vehicle management office. Vehicle annual inspection schedule: According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," small cars must be inspected once every 2 years within the first 6 years, and once every year after exceeding 6 years. New cars are exempt from inspection only in the first year, but after that, they must follow the regulations: inspection once every 2 years within the first 6 years, and once every year after 6 years. Vehicle annual inspection location: Within the same city, vehicle owners can freely choose an inspection agency for the inspection. Vehicle inspection in a different location refers to having the vehicle inspected in a place other than where it was purchased.
I actually thought about this before driving my car for the annual inspection. I heard people say that the vehicle had to go back to the original DMV where it was registered, which kept me up all night—after all, I was out of town and would have to drive 500 kilometers back to my hometown, wasting both gas and time. Later, I asked a friend at the nearby auto repair shop, and he said it wasn’t necessary at all—now the annual inspection can be handled nationwide. As long as the license plate hasn’t changed, you can go to any traffic bureau-designated inspection station nearby. Just make an appointment in advance on the WeChat mini-program. I brought my vehicle license, ID card, and compulsory traffic insurance policy, drove to the inspection station downstairs, and got it done in two hours—lights, brakes, everything passed. These days, policies have loosened up, making things much easier. Just find the nearest station and don’t bother with long trips. One reminder, though: it’s best to go in the morning to avoid peak-hour queues.
Having driven for over a decade, I'm quite familiar with the annual inspection rules. Vehicle inspections definitely don't require returning to the original registration DMV - the nationwide cross-region service policy has been implemented for years. The reason is simple: DMVs mainly handle license plate registration, while inspections are technical tests that must be conducted at authorized inspection stations for safety checks. When you're in another city, just find a local inspection center approved by the transportation department - the procedures are identical nationwide. Remember to bring all required documents: the duplicate of your vehicle license, original ID card, and valid compulsory traffic insurance certificate. The inspection typically includes exterior examination, emission testing, and brake performance checks, taking about half a day. If the station is remote, I'd suggest checking map apps to find one with good reputation. Don't believe rumors about returning to the registration location - you'll save fuel costs and help the environment. If your vehicle fails, temporary fixes can be made for re-inspection.
