Is It No Longer Necessary to Display Auto Insurance Stickers?
2 Answers
Auto insurance stickers do not need to be displayed, but compulsory traffic insurance and annual inspection stickers must be displayed. Except for regions where the paper-based compulsory traffic insurance stickers have been abolished, other areas still require the display of compulsory traffic insurance stickers. Provinces that abolished the paper-based compulsory traffic insurance stickers in 2019 include Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Shanxi, Guangdong, Hebei, and Hubei. 1. Penalties for not displaying insurance stickers: According to Article 40 of the Compulsory Traffic Insurance Regulations for Motor Vehicles, motor vehicles must display insurance stickers when driving on the road. Otherwise, traffic authorities have the right to detain the vehicle and impose a maximum fine of 200 yuan, with one point deducted from the driver's license. The vehicle will only be released after the insurance sticker is displayed. 2. Penalties for driving without compulsory traffic insurance: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, if a motor vehicle is driven on the road without compulsory traffic insurance, traffic authorities will temporarily detain the vehicle, impose a fine of twice the amount of the compulsory traffic insurance premium, and require immediate payment of the compulsory traffic insurance before the vehicle is released.
When I first started driving, I was always nervous about the insurance sticker. Recently, I discovered that many places no longer require the paper compulsory traffic insurance sticker. The policy was updated at the end of 2020, and the electronic version of compulsory traffic insurance has been promoted nationwide. You can download the official 12123 app on your phone to store the electronic policy. This saves the hassle of replacing stickers and keeps the windshield cleaner. However, some regions may still be in transition, so it's best to keep the app files handy during checks in case traffic police request to see them. The electronic system has many benefits: it’s eco-friendly, reduces paper waste, saves money, and the app even reminds you of renewal deadlines to avoid missing insurance purchases. Car owners should regularly check updates on local traffic management websites to ensure compliance with the latest policies.
