
In 2021, for non-operational small and micro passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) that are over 6 years but less than 10 years old, the inspection frequency has been adjusted from once a year to once every two years. The vehicle must undergo an inspection at the testing station in the 6th and 8th years. For private vehicles over 10 years old, the original inspection cycle still applies, i.e., once a year for vehicles aged 10 to 15 years, and once every six months for vehicles over 15 years old. Exemption scope: The exemption scope for motor vehicles has been expanded from vehicles within 6 years and with 6 seats or fewer to non-operational small and micro passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats. This means that after November 20th, non-operational small and micro passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats that are under 6 years old can enjoy the exemption . Documents required for annual inspection: The owner needs to bring the motor vehicle registration certificate, driving license, owner's ID card, compulsory traffic insurance proof, and vehicle and vessel tax proof. The entire process for obtaining the annual inspection label is simple, but attention should be paid to the vehicle registration date and the number of passengers allowed as stated on the driving license.

I just went through the vehicle inspection last year and noticed quite a few new changes. Firstly, new cars now only require 3 inspections within 10 years (at the 6th, 8th, and 10th years), which means two fewer trips to the inspection station compared to before. My 5-year-old car directly received the exemption mark, saving both money and hassle. However, the requirements for vehicles over 15 years old have become stricter, and the exhaust emission testing methods have been upgraded. The most pleasant surprise was the relaxation of modification policies. My headlights, which used to be required to be restored to original, can now pass inspection as long as they meet the new national standards. But be aware that trucks now have an added empty vehicle weighing test. When helping a friend inspect his truck, we found his modified cargo box was overweight and got stuck immediately. It's advisable to check local new regulations before the inspection, as implementation details may vary in different places.

Brothers in the transportation business need to pay close attention to the new regulations, as the inspection rules for trucks with three or more axles have completely changed. Now, empty trucks exceeding the weight limit will be directly disqualified—my cousin’s trailer almost failed the inspection last week because of this. Environmental checks are stricter too; if your emissions don’t meet standards, you’ll need on-the-spot repairs and a re-inspection. On the other hand, smaller vehicles have it much easier—my wife’s 8-year-old commuter car got its e-sticker directly via a mobile app. Inspection fees have also been standardized, with a unified price drop to 300 yuan in our province. High-risk transport vehicles have it particularly tough; tankers and hazardous chemical trucks must undergo inspections every six months, no exceptions. Truck drivers are advised to self-check their lights, brakes, and OBD systems before inspections, as these items have particularly high failure rates.

Veteran drivers should focus on three key updates: Vehicles over 10 years old now require only one annual inspection instead of two, saving my classic car an extra check this year. New regulations permit roof racks and side steps installation as long as they don't exceed 30cm in height. With digitalized inspection systems, my last test was completed in just 30 minutes. However, environmental standards are stricter now - tailpipe emissions testing includes remote monitoring, and diesel vehicles exceeding 0.15mg/m³ in particulate emissions will fail immediately. I recommend driving about 10km to warm up your engine before testing, as cold starts significantly increase the risk of failing emissions standards.

A friend at the inspection station told me that the new regulations focus on safety defects. Many vehicles failed because the steering axle tires must have the same tread pattern. My neighbor's car was rejected last month for not paying attention when changing tires. The brake inspection has also been upgraded—if the braking force difference between the left and right wheels exceeds 20%, it's an immediate fail. For new energy vehicles, safety checks have begun. During the waterproof test, if the battery pack leaks electricity after being submerged for 3 minutes, it's game over. Pickup truck owners got lucky—the requirement for body lettering and reflective strips has been canceled. My Raptor finally doesn’t have to look like a construction vehicle. However, the threshold for light intensity testing has been raised, so it’s recommended to choose headlights with a color temperature within 5500K.

The new vehicle inspection rules are really user-friendly for family cars. Now, non-commercial vehicles with 9 seats or under don't need on-site inspections after 6 years, just apply for an electronic label via 12123. Last week, I took my dad's old Passat for inspection - the 15-year-old car no longer requires biannual checks, saving us 800 yuan. The biggest surprise is that more modifications are now allowed - the winch mount and side ladder on my off-roader both passed smoothly. However, note that tire specifications must exactly match the registration certificate - a friend got into big trouble for installing wider tires. My advice: keep original parts when filing modifications, so you can quickly swap back if inspection stations find tire size discrepancies.


