Is the Vehicle Inspection Required Every Two Years?

[LeValeria]

Yes. The biennial vehicle inspection refers to the policy that small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection within the first six years, but an annual review is required every two years. In the absence of major accidents, the vehicle is exempt from on-site inspection. When it's time for the inspection, the owner needs to bring their ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and the current valid compulsory traffic insurance policy to the vehicle management office for processing. Below is additional information: 1. The materials required for applying for the exemption are as follows: the original vehicle registration certificate, the owner's ID card. If a proxy is needed, the proxy's original ID card and a written authorization signed by the vehicle owner are also required. Additionally, for company vehicles, the original organization code certificate (three certificates in one) of the company must be brought. 2. Consequences of not undergoing the annual inspection: If a vehicle is found by traffic police on the road without an annual inspection, the owner may face fines or have the vehicle impounded. Moreover, in insurance contracts, vehicles that have not undergone timely annual inspections are considered unqualified, and no claims will be paid in the event of an accident.

[LaAlaina]

Actually, vehicle annual inspections are carried out in stages. For new cars within the first 6 years, you do need to apply for the inspection compliance mark every two years, but an on-site inspection is not required—it can be done via the Traffic Management 12123 APP. However, by the 6th year, an on-site inspection is mandatory, after which inspections are required every two years until the 10th year. For vehicles over 10 years old, an annual on-site inspection is required, and for those over 15 years old, inspections are needed every six months. So the key factor is the vehicle's age, not all cars require biennial inspections. My car just turned 3 years old, and I recently completed the online application—it took only two minutes and was super convenient. If you fail to get the inspection done on time and get caught, you could face penalty points and fines, so it's best to set a phone reminder.

[AmirRose]

It depends on how long the car has been in use. For my 7-year-old vehicle, it now requires an inspection at the testing station every two years. New cars indeed enjoy a policy of exemption from on-site inspections within the first 6 years, only needing to collect an electronic label every two years. However, after 6 years, this privilege is no longer available, and you'll need to undergo on-site inspections for lights, brakes, and emissions. Once the car is over 10 years old, inspections are required annually, meaning older cars need more frequent maintenance. Last time I went for the annual inspection, I had to queue for two hours, so I recommend making an appointment in advance. Remember your vehicle registration date; missing the deadline could result in a 3-point deduction if stopped by traffic police.

[LeilaLee]

Vehicle inspection cycles are categorized. For new cars, the first 6 years require obtaining an exemption sticker every two years, with an on-site inspection at the 6-year mark. Vehicles aged 6-10 years require on-site inspections every two years. I remember helping my dad inspect his decade-old car last year, and we had to reapply the window tint on the spot because the light transmittance didn’t meet standards. Currently, inspection fees generally range from 200 to 400 yuan, mainly checking lights, brakes, and emissions. It’s best to self-check tire pressure and brake lights before the inspection to avoid wasted trips. During peak times at inspection stations, queues can take half a day, so going early on a weekday is wise. Cars over 15 years old are the most troublesome, requiring inspections every six months.