
Vehicles must display three mandatory decals on the front windshield: the vehicle inspection compliance label, compulsory label, and environmental protection inspection label. 1. Vehicle inspection compliance label: Valid for one year. 2. Vehicle environmental protection label: Issued for energy-saving/emission-reduction inspections and regular environmental checks, categorized as yellow (non-compliant) or green (compliant), requiring annual inspection. 3. Compulsory insurance label: Currently, vehicles only need to display the compulsory traffic insurance and annual inspection labels, as the environmental label has been abolished and merged with the annual inspection label. Passenger vehicles with 6 seats or fewer (including 6-seat models) are exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years, but owners must submit compulsory insurance documents to traffic police every 2 years to renew the annual inspection label. Starting from the 6th year, annual inspections are required until the vehicle reaches 15 years of age.

I've been driving for over ten years, and the decals on my car are absolutely essential—mainly the compulsory decal and the annual inspection sticker. Some cities also require an environmental protection decal. The purpose of these decals is to ensure the car is legally roadworthy. The insurance decal proves you have basic liability coverage, providing a safety net in case of an accident. The annual inspection sticker indicates the vehicle has passed safety checks and is fit to drive. The environmental protection decal restricts vehicle emissions in pollution-controlled zones. The risks of not displaying them are serious: if caught in a traffic stop, you could face fines and penalty points, and in an accident, the insurance company might deny your claim. I make a habit of updating and placing them in the lower-left corner of the windshield every year, keeping them clearly visible. This saves a lot of hassle on the road and helps protect other drivers' safety. These small stickers may seem insignificant, but they carry big responsibilities.

When I just got my new car last year, I found that affixing the labels was a crucial step. You must attach the compulsory label and the annual inspection sticker - the former is a small decal provided after purchasing insurance to prove basic coverage, while the latter serves as proof of passing vehicle inspection. In some major cities, there's also an additional environmental protection label to verify emission compliance. Incomplete labeling not only results in fines but also invalidates your insurance. I learned from the 4S dealership to regularly check if the labels are fading or peeling off to avoid troubles on the road. Though this process seems tedious, it's actually simple. Having them properly affixed gives me more confidence when driving out, and serves as a reminder to maintain my beloved car regularly.

From a safety perspective, mandatory decals like stickers and annual inspection certificates on vehicles serve as essential safeguards. They ensure the car has basic compensation capabilities in case of accidents and has passed quality inspections. Driving without these decals is like running naked—extremely high risk. If an accident occurs without an insurance decal, you may face full liability; a failed inspection decal indicates potential hazards in the vehicle, threatening both yourself and others. The government requires these to be displayed on the windshield for easy inspection, which indirectly enhances overall road safety. I believe this requirement is reasonable—maintaining these decals means safeguarding travel safety.

As an environmentally conscious driver, I take the decals on my car seriously. Beyond the mandatory and annual inspection stickers, the environmental protection decal is also crucial in certain districts. It evaluates whether a vehicle's emissions meet standards, helping avoid fines in restricted zones. Displaying all required decals isn't just a legal obligation—it's environmental responsibility that reduces pollution risks. Before each drive, I visually confirm the decals are intact, properly positioned, and undamaged, ensuring peace of mind while actively supporting green transportation. I believe such regulations are steering us toward sustainable driving practices.

Looking back, the stickers on cars have changed quite a bit, from the old paper versions to the simplified ones today, but the core remains the compulsory sticker and the annual inspection certificate, ensuring the vehicle is compliant. With technological advancements, some regions have gone digital, but essentially, valid documentation still needs to be displayed. As a driver, I feel this helps avoid chaos on the road. Sticking these decals serves as a reminder to handle insurance and inspections on time, preventing oversight that could lead to fines or safety risks. These small stickers carry significant meaning, making driving more orderly and reliable.


