Is Safety Inspection Required for New Vehicle Registration?
2 Answers
New vehicle registration does not require a safety inspection. According to the latest policies from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, effective October 1st, all passenger cars that have obtained factory qualification certificates, as well as some small and mini passenger vehicles and two-wheeled motorcycles, are exempt from undergoing vehicle safety inspections during their first registration. Elimination of Mandatory Safety Technical Inspection for Motor Vehicles: Starting from October 1, 2010, all passenger car products and other passenger vehicles, two-wheeled motorcycles, etc., produced by enterprises approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology with production consistency assurance capabilities, are no longer required to undergo motor vehicle safety technical inspections before registration. However, if registration is not applied for within two years after leaving the factory or if a traffic accident occurs before registration, a safety technical inspection is still mandatory. Vehicle Identification Rubbing Now Provided by Manufacturers: Effective January 1, 2011, automobiles (excluding three-wheeled vehicles and low-speed trucks) and semi-trailers must be accompanied by two copies of the rubbing film of the actual vehicle identification number and two color photos of the external view of the actual vehicle when leaving the factory with the vehicle qualification certificate.
When I went to register my brand-new car, I didn’t need a safety inspection. The vehicle had already passed the manufacturer’s safety checks before leaving the factory, so this step was skipped in the paperwork. However, the registration process was quite tedious—I had to queue at the DMV with my ID, car purchase invoice, and vehicle certification. I also had to pay the purchase tax, buy compulsory traffic insurance, and undergo an emissions test to ensure the exhaust met standards, which took me half an hour. The whole process took most of the day, but safety-wise, I felt completely at ease since the tires and brakes were fresh and shiny, making the drive home smooth and enjoyable. It wasn’t until I’d driven a few thousand kilometers that I did the first safety inspection—preventive maintenance is a must. In short, skipping the safety inspection for a new car saves time and effort, but don’t slack on regular maintenance.
