Is it still necessary to affix the annual vehicle inspection sticker?
2 Answers
It is necessary to affix the annual vehicle inspection sticker. According to national regulations, driving a motor vehicle on the road requires displaying the vehicle license plate, placing the inspection qualification mark, insurance mark, and carrying the vehicle's registration certificate. Failure to affix the annual inspection mark may result in penalties. The annual vehicle inspection sticker should be affixed to the upper right corner of the front windshield. There is an indicator arrow on the front windshield as a reference mark for placement. For vehicles exempt from inspection within the first 6 years, the annual inspection mark should be obtained from the local vehicle management office. The first step is to prepare the relevant materials, and then proceed to the vehicle management office hall for processing. Required materials include: a copy of the vehicle owner's ID card, a copy of the vehicle's insurance policy, the vehicle and vessel tax invoice, the vehicle's registration certificate, the ID card of the agent, and information on any traffic violations.
I just had my car inspected last month and found that the annual inspection sticker is basically no longer required now, which is really convenient. In the past, the top left corner of the windshield was cluttered with a bunch of stickers, always obstructing the view while driving and making cleaning a hassle. Nowadays, many cities are implementing electronic annual inspections. You just need to download the Traffic Management 12123 APP, log in to your account, and check the electronic inspection records. Traffic police can scan it during checks. Of course, this isn’t uniform nationwide—it depends on where you live. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai are fully covered, and here in Guangdong, the pilot program is running smoothly. But remember to keep the APP updated; otherwise, you might be stuck if your phone has no signal. My neighbor forgot to refresh the records last year and got fined 200 yuan. Overall, it’s much neater and safer. I recommend checking local policies or confirming details on the official website.
