What are the new regulations for annual inspections of vehicles with fewer than seven seats?
3 Answers
New regulations for vehicle annual inspections: Starting from November 20, 2020, non-operational small and mini passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats (excluding minivans) within 6 years are included in the exemption range; for non-operational small and mini passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) older than 6 years but less than 10 years, the inspection cycle is relaxed from once a year to once every two years. This means private cars only need to undergo two on-site inspections within 10 years, specifically in the 6th and 8th years. Contents of the annual inspection: Check whether the engine, chassis, body, and their auxiliary equipment are clean, complete, and effective, whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether the main assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records; Test whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, exhaust, and other safety performances meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles"; Check whether the vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or altered, whether the driving license, license plate, and vehicle registration records match the actual condition of the vehicle, whether there are any changes, and whether approval and modification procedures have been completed; Check whether the license plate, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether they need replacement; For large vehicles, check whether the unit name or the name of the street, township, or town where the vehicle is located and the maximum number of passengers allowed in the driver's compartment are written in Chinese imitation Song font on both sides of the door as required; For trucks, check whether the rear fender (including the rear fender of the trailer) is marked with the vehicle number enlarged 2-3 times as required, and for individual or joint-venture vehicles, whether the word "individual" is written on both sides of the door. The writing must be clear, and unit codes or other patterns are not allowed (special cases require approval from the vehicle management office).
I've been driving a seven-seat SUV for several years, and the new regulations in 2022 have made vehicle inspections much easier. For ordinary family cars with seven seats or fewer, within the first ten years, you only need to apply for an electronic inspection mark via the Traffic Management 12123 APP in the second, fourth, and eighth years—no need to visit an inspection station. However, in the sixth and tenth years, an on-site inspection is required to check critical parts like brakes and lights. After ten years, an annual on-site inspection is mandatory. For years exempt from on-site inspections, I can complete the process in just a few minutes on my phone, saving time and effort—far better than the old days of queuing for half a day. But note: minivans or vehicles involved in accidents don’t qualify for this exemption and must undergo annual inspections as usual. Overall, the changes are quite user-friendly, optimizing resources and reducing unnecessary hassle for drivers. As a seasoned driver, I recommend setting reminders to avoid delays, as overdue inspections may result in fines.
Our family owns a 7-seater MPV, and the new regulations have made annual inspections more convenient. Simply put, for passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, there are only two mandatory on-site inspections within the first 10 years: the 6th and 10th years. For other years, you can apply for exemption from on-site inspection via the APP. This is particularly suitable for families with children, saving the hassle of queuing up with kids. I just completed my second-year application on the 12123 app – it took less than 10 minutes with just a few clicks. The policy only applies to family passenger cars, excluding minivans. After 10 years, vehicles return to annual inspections. This optimization is truly worry-free and time-saving. I encourage other families to understand the rules and handle it promptly to avoid delays.
