What are the new regulations for vehicle annual inspection in 2021?
4 Answers
The new regulations for vehicle annual inspection in 2021 include the following updates: Expansion of the scope of motor vehicle exemption from inspection: On the basis of exempting non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles with 6 seats or fewer from inspection within 6 years, the exemption now also covers non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles with 7 to 9 seats (excluding minivans). For non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) older than 6 years but less than 10 years, the inspection frequency is adjusted from once a year to once every two years. Nationwide, more than 170 million private car owners will benefit from the convenience brought by this reform. Vehicles involved in fatal traffic accidents or illegally modified and penalized according to law will still undergo inspections according to the original cycle to ensure vehicle safety performance. Relaxation of the age limit for applying for a small car driver's license: To better meet the new demands of an aging society, the upper age limit of 70 years for applying for a small car, small automatic transmission car, or light motorcycle driver's license has been removed. For individuals aged 70 and above applying for a driver's license, additional tests on memory, judgment, and reaction abilities will be added to ensure their physical condition meets the requirements for safe driving.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I noticed significant changes in the annual vehicle inspection process in 2021, with more convenience and peace of mind. First, the benefits for passenger cars—family vehicles with 7 to 9 seats, if non-commercial, no longer require on-site inspections for the first six years. Instead, you can directly apply for the exemption mark online. Previously, this only applied to vehicles with 6 seats or fewer, but the 2021 expansion made it much more convenient for larger passenger vehicles. However, it's worth noting that environmental checks have become stricter, with more thorough OBD system inspections—vehicles failing emissions tests are more likely to be rejected. For older vehicles, the inspection cycle for private cars over 10 years old has been optimized, shifting from potential six-month checks to annual inspections, easing the burden but encouraging more frequent maintenance. My own car is 15 years old, and during last year’s inspection, the OBD scan revealed some faults—I had to spend time fixing them before passing. Overall, the new rules seem to push drivers to maintain their vehicles better, marking progress. Still, I recommend owners research requirements early to avoid late fees.
As someone who cares about the environment, I particularly appreciate the key changes in the 2021 vehicle inspection regulations, as they strengthen the control over vehicle emissions. For example, the comprehensive promotion of OBD system testing, which monitors the emission system in real-time to ensure it functions properly, will affect the inspection results if standards are not met. This reflects the national policy to promote green transportation and reduce pollution to protect air quality. The exemption range has been expanded from 6-seat to 7-9 seat non-commercial vehicles, encouraging people to buy and use new vehicles, thereby reducing the high emissions from older cars. However, for vehicles over 10 years old, inspections are now required annually to ensure timely maintenance. These changes strike a balance between convenience and responsibility. I believe they are beneficial for improving community air quality and also remind everyone to pay attention to maintaining their exhaust systems while driving.
From a technical perspective, the 2021 vehicle annual inspection updates primarily introduced the addition of On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system checks as a key change. OBD enables rapid diagnosis of emission faults, offering more precise and environmentally friendly detection compared to traditional visual inspections. Meanwhile, non-commercial minivans with 7-9 seats within 6 years of registration are now exempt from on-site inspections, streamlining the process. For older vehicles exceeding 10 years, the inspection interval has been shortened to once per year to improve efficiency. I understand these updates leverage new technologies to enhance inspection quality, but vehicle owners must prioritize maintenance to avoid OBD-related issues. The new regulations have optimized many procedural details.
