Is it still necessary to display the annual inspection and insurance decals?
3 Answers
For compulsory traffic insurance decals, they can be omitted in regions where electronic insurance policies have been implemented. As for annual inspection decals, they were fully digitized nationwide in 2020 and replaced by electronic inspection certificates, making physical display unnecessary. Electronic insurance policies serve as digital substitutes for paper insurance documents and carry equal legal validity. Below are precautions for vehicle annual inspections: 1. Pre-warm the vehicle: The inspection includes exhaust emission testing, which examines the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. These components operate optimally at 400-800°C, so starting the engine in advance during the external inspection area can improve passing rates. 2. Clean the vehicle beforehand: Prior to inspection, thoroughly washing the car body, engine compartment, and chassis facilitates the inspection process and enhances the likelihood of passing.
I remember when I drove my old car, the windshield was covered with annual inspection stickers and insurance stickers, which were sticky and hard to peel off, and had to be replaced every year. Now it's much more convenient—the policy has changed, and most places use electronic certificates instead of those paper stickers. Take our local area for example: the DMV app allows you to check the annual inspection status directly, and insurance companies send electronic policies to your phone. However, regulations may vary slightly depending on the region, such as in remote areas or during transition periods, so it's best to confirm with the local DMV. This digitalization saves money on buying stickers and is more environmentally friendly. Plus, when driving, you don’t have to worry about stickers blocking your view, making it much safer. Overall, getting used to checking the app or website is far more hassle-free than dealing with physical stickers.
From the perspective of us young car owners, physical stickers should have been phased out long ago. With digitalization, everything can be handled on the phone: download the Traffic Management 12123 app to check annual inspection records, store insurance policy images in the insurance company's app, and directly show them to traffic police during roadside checks—so much cleaner. No more paper clutter blocking the view, and parking becomes more straightforward. I've noticed progress varies by city—major cities have mostly gone fully digital, but friends in small towns still recommend keeping paper backups just in case. In the long run, this is a positive direction, reducing plastic waste and saving both printing time and fuel costs for sticker collection. Just remember to regularly check system updates while driving to ensure all documents remain valid and avoid last-minute hassles.
