Is it okay not to display the compulsory insurance decal on a vehicle?
3 Answers
If the region has implemented electronic insurance policies, the compulsory insurance decal does not need to be displayed; in regions without electronic insurance policies, vehicles are still required to display the compulsory traffic insurance decal. Failure to display it may result in penalty points and fines. Compulsory traffic insurance is a mandatory liability insurance where the insurance company compensates for personal injuries, fatalities, and property losses (excluding those of the vehicle's occupants and the insured) caused by road traffic accidents involving the insured motor vehicle, within the liability limits. All owners or managers of motor vehicles driven on roads within China must purchase compulsory traffic insurance. Vehicles without this insurance are not permitted to be driven on the road.
From years of driving experience, I know that not displaying the compulsory insurance sticker is absolutely unacceptable. The law requires this decal to be affixed on the windshield so traffic police can immediately verify your insurance coverage at a glance. If you fail to display it and get pulled over, penalties range from a 200 RMB fine with demerit points to vehicle impoundment – both creating unnecessary hassles. Last time my friend forgot to display it, he got fined and had to waste half a day at the traffic police station proving he actually had insurance. Honestly, applying the sticker takes literally one second – just wet it and stick it on. Make it a habit and don’t cut corners. During annual inspections, they’ll check for it too, and missing decals could cause your vehicle to fail inspection. Most importantly, in an accident scenario, the absence of this visible marker will make insurance claims processing more tedious and delay settlements. So don’t skip this simple compliance step – driving legally saves you headaches and keeps you protected.
As a car owner, I think it's really not worth skipping the insurance sticker. I drive to and from work daily, and this small detail is something you can't afford to overlook—it helps you avoid all sorts of trouble. For example, during traffic police checks, having it visibly displayed saves you the hassle of pulling out documents and explaining; without it, you might get stopped every time and face a fine of a few hundred bucks, which would sting. I remember last year when I temporarily didn’t have it up, I got checked on the road and almost got points deducted—ended up rushing home to fetch it. It’s actually very simple to handle—just stick it on when washing your car. Don’t invite trouble out of carelessness. Plus, the sticker serves as a reminder for your insurance renewal date, preventing major issues from forgetting to renew. Develop good habits—pay attention to the small things, and drive with peace of mind.
