Is it permissible not to display the vehicle annual inspection sticker?
3 Answers
In 2020, electronic inspection labels were comprehensively promoted to replace the paper version of the annual inspection compliance sticker. Electronic inspection labels hold the same legal validity as their paper counterparts. In provinces and cities where electronic annual inspection labels have been implemented, it is not mandatory to display the inspection compliance sticker. Below is additional information: For those who have obtained the electronic certificate: Vehicle owners can travel nationwide with just the electronic certificate, and traffic police will not impose penalties for not displaying the sticker. This is because the electronic certificate for motor vehicle inspection labels carries the same legal weight as the paper version. Vehicles that have already obtained the electronic inspection label certificate are no longer required to display the paper sticker. For those who have not obtained the electronic certificate: Vehicle owners who have not obtained the electronic certificate must continue to adhere to the previous regulations by displaying the paper sticker as required; otherwise, they may still face penalties.
I've been driving for decades and have personally experienced many things about annual inspection stickers. In the past, everyone firmly stuck the paper versions on their windshields, but now many places have gone digital, with records just kept in an app. However, policies vary by region—for example, Beijing and Shanghai may not enforce the sticker rule, while smaller cities might have stricter police checks. Once in my hometown, I forgot to display the sticker, and when the traffic police pulled me over for inspection, I had neither the paper version nor electronic proof. They fined me 200 yuan and deducted points, wasting half a day. The core issue is that the sticker allows police to quickly confirm a vehicle’s compliance, avoiding unnecessary trouble. While digital versions are convenient, you still need to ensure your phone has battery and signal, or you might run into trouble during a road trip in another city. Safety first—whether to display the sticker or not depends on local rules, but either way, keep proof accessible to avoid paying for mistakes like I did. Don’t cut corners—regularly check for policy updates for both safety and financial peace of mind.
As a newly licensed car owner, I was curious whether the annual inspection sticker needed to be displayed when buying a car. Thinking the electronic record in the app was sufficient, I didn’t bother—until I actually ran into trouble on the road: A highway toll officer asked to check the sticker, and my app froze while loading, making him suspect I hadn’t done the inspection. I narrowly avoided a ticket thanks to a backup screenshot. That taught me rules aren’t just for show—digital systems aren’t always reliable. Policies vary by region; cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou might be lenient, but officers in smaller cities enforce strictly. My advice to new drivers: Don’t take risks like I did. Just display the sticker or carry digital proof, especially when traveling. It affects insurance claims and roadside trust—better safe than stuck with unexpected costs. Bottom line: Traffic management needs to modernize, but personal responsibility is non-negotiable.
