Is the Vehicle Inspection Sticker Still Required in 2021?

[ElliotDella]

2021 no longer requires any physical stickers for vehicles. Digitalization of Inspection Stickers: Starting from June 2020, the nationwide implementation of digital vehicle inspection stickers began. Now, when vehicle owners complete their annual vehicle inspections, no paper inspection stickers will be issued. Instead, owners can directly obtain the electronic inspection sticker via the Traffic Management 12123 app. 2021 Inspection Sticker New Regulations: The latest policy combines the vehicle annual inspection with the environmental protection inspection sticker into one. As long as the vehicle passes the annual inspection, there is no need to obtain a separate environmental protection sticker. The electronic inspection certificate holds the same validity as the paper certificate. Vehicles that have obtained the electronic inspection certificate do not need to display a paper sticker. Traffic police will check the vehicle's inspection status through law enforcement terminals during traffic management.

[KiraRose]

I remember checking the new regulations last year when helping my neighbor with the vehicle inspection. Since 2021, it's indeed no longer necessary to display any paper annual inspection stickers. In earlier years, the windshield had to bear three major stickers: the environmental protection label, compulsory traffic insurance label, and annual inspection label. Later, the first two were abolished, and now the annual inspection label has also gone digital. After the inspection, the data is automatically synchronized to the traffic management 12123 system, allowing traffic police to check the information by scanning the license plate during enforcement. However, there's a detail to note: if driving an older car to another province, it's best to download the electronic certificate from 12123 in advance and save it on your phone, as some remote areas might not have updated their equipment.

[OEllie]

Last time I took my dad's old Corolla for the annual inspection, the staff mentioned that paper inspection stickers have been gradually phased out since 2020. Now electronic inspection stickers are implemented nationwide, making the windshield much cleaner. But I'd like to remind everyone to check the 12123 APP after the inspection to confirm the status of the electronic sticker generation. Once before a long trip, I found the inspection info wasn't updated in the APP, so I rushed to the DMV to get it rectified - otherwise, it would be considered overdue if checked during an intercity drive.

[LeilaniRose]

Last year during the maintenance at the 4S shop, the technician told me that the inspection stickers are now a thing of the past. The traffic management department has implemented big data networking, and vehicle annual inspection information is uploaded to the system in real time. However, special attention is needed for modified cars or vehicles over ten years old: although no sticker is required, the inspection cycle is actually shortened. If a vehicle fails to undergo inspection for more than three cycles, it will be directly subject to mandatory scrapping.

[Felix]

My cousin got into trouble buying a used car earlier this year because of this issue. The seller said no annual inspection sticker was needed, but during the transfer process, it was discovered that the original owner hadn't inspected the car for two years. Key point: After 2021, only the sticker requirement was canceled—the inspection obligation still remains! For new cars within six years, you must obtain an electronic inspection mark every two years; for cars older than six years, an on-site inspection is required annually. When downloading the electronic mark, it's best to take a screenshot and save it, as weak signals in some areas can make it difficult to open the app.

[SanJackson]

As a veteran driver with 15 years of experience, I've witnessed the transition from paper stickers to full digitalization. Now the windshield is finally clean, but developing new habits is more important: immediately open the 12123 APP after each vehicle inspection and click 'Electronic Inspection Mark Certificate' under 'Vehicle Services'. Friends planning cross-province road trips should note that some checkpoints in Qinghai and Xinjiang still require active display of the electronic code, so it's advisable to print a backup before departure.