Is it still necessary to affix the vehicle inspection sticker on the windshield?

[LeBenjamin]

Vehicle annual inspection stickers no longer need to be affixed. With technological advancements and digitalization, the previous paper-based motor vehicle inspection compliance labels have evolved into electronic certificates, achieving nationwide comprehensive implementation. Therefore, vehicle owners no longer need to attach paper labels to the front windshield of their vehicles. For owners who have obtained the electronic motor vehicle inspection certificate, they can simply present the electronic certificate when encountering traffic police inspections on the road. Precautions during annual inspection: 1. Emissions testing: The annual inspection will check whether the vehicle's tailpipe emissions meet standards. 2. Clean the vehicle body in advance: Owners should wash their vehicles before the inspection. 3. Check lighting: The vehicle management office will inspect the vehicle's lighting system.

[McSophie]

Back when I used to drive, I always had to stick the inspection sticker on the windshield, and those stubborn adhesive marks were such a hassle. Now with the digital reform, the Traffic Management 12123 app can directly display the electronic sticker, making the windshield much cleaner. But I should remind you that some areas might still be in a transition period—for example, border regions in Yunnan required paper versions for trucks just last year. On my last road trip, I habitually saved the electronic certificate in my phone’s album, but then encountered slow internet at a highway toll station, almost causing a delay. I’d recommend checking the local DMV’s official website for policies before a long trip, or printing a copy of the electronic version to keep in the glove box as a backup. Either way, not having to stick anything on the windshield is the most convenient.

[DawsonAnn]

I also struggled with this when I got a new car, so I specifically asked the after-sales manager at the 4S dealership. He said that 90% of cities have fully implemented electronic inspection stickers now, and major cities like Beijing and Shanghai no longer require them to be affixed to the windshield. However, you need to be careful when transferring ownership of a used car—my friend ran into trouble buying a used Mercedes because the previous owner didn’t clear the old sticker, causing delays in the transfer. It’s best to log into the traffic management app 12123 after each annual inspection to confirm the electronic sticker is active. Not having anything stuck on the windshield really improves visibility, making driving much safer in the rain.

[SanEliza]

As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've lived through the era of physical stickers and the current digital age. Back then, the top left corner of the windshield would be covered with three stickers, which would peel off in the summer heat. Nowadays, simply showing the electronic proof on your phone suffices, but I must remind everyone of a few special cases: financial institutions may require stickers during vehicle mortgage loans; some older systems still recognize paper versions when handling out-of-town violations; and commercial vehicles occasionally need physical verification for insurance claims. Personally, I never stick them for local driving, but for long trips, I send the inspection screenshots to my family group as backup.

[DelMaximus]

Last month, I finally understood this during the annual inspection. The staff at the vehicle management office said that the compulsory traffic insurance label and the environmental protection label have been canceled long ago, and the inspection label has been replaced with an electronic version nationwide since 2022. Now, only the compulsory traffic insurance sticker needs to be placed on the windshield, but you must ensure that the electronic inspection certificate can be displayed normally on the 12123 APP. Once, my phone ran out of battery, so I tried logging into the web version using the car's system, but the interface was incompatible. Later, I bought a phone holder specifically for navigation. It is recommended to enable SMS reminders in the account settings, and you will receive a notification when it's almost due.

[JuniperMarie]

My neighbor just bought a Tesla with premium explosion-proof film on the windows and was particularly worried that attaching the inspection sticker might damage the film. After consulting with the film installer, he learned that physical stickers are no longer required thanks to the electronic tag policy, which preserves the car's aesthetic. However, it's important to be cautious when lending your vehicle. I lent my car to my cousin for a trip out of town, and he was checked for not having a physical sticker. In reality, showing the electronic authorization on my phone would have sufficed. I recommend adding the inspection tag page from the 12123 app to your phone's home screen—it's ten times more convenient than sticking it on the windshield, and you can simply open it during inspections.