What are the new regulations for vehicle annual inspection in Ningbo in 2021?
4 Answers
New regulations are introduced as follows: 1. Expand the scope of private car exemption from inspection and optimize the inspection cycle: On the basis of exempting non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles with 6 seats or fewer from inspection within 6 years, non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles with 7 to 9 seats within 6 years are now included in the exemption range. For non-operational mini and micro passenger vehicles over 6 years but less than 10 years old, the inspection frequency is adjusted from once a year to once every two years. 2. Electronic inspection labels: Electronic inspection certificates have the same effect as paper certificates. Vehicles that have obtained electronic inspection certificates no longer need to display paper labels, and traffic authorities will not penalize vehicles for not displaying (or affixing) inspection labels. Electronic inspection certificates can be downloaded and saved on mobile phones for offline use when needed. 3. Extension of inspection due to COVID-19: If a vehicle is required to undergo a safety technical inspection during the epidemic prevention and control period, the inspection will be uniformly extended based on the epidemic situation. (For transport vehicles, the annual inspection cycle is automatically extended until 45 days after the end of the epidemic.)
As a car owner who just had my vehicle inspected in Ningbo, the 2021 new regulations have indeed made things much easier. For non-commercial small vehicles like private cars, there's no need for on-site inspection in the first 6 years—just collect the inspection mark from the traffic management department or online, saving the hassle of long queues. The first on-site inspection is only required in the 6th year. I used to hear that under the old rules, inspections were needed every two years, but now even the 8th year is exempt from on-site inspection—just complete the paperwork to get the mark. For older cars over 10 years, annual inspections are required, so maintaining the vehicle well is essential. In Ningbo, inspection stations have also strengthened environmental checks, such as OBD readings for emission data, to ensure exhaust standards are met. I recommend booking an appointment in advance through apps like 'Zhejiang Government Service' and bringing the vehicle license and driver's license—the whole process is much faster. Overall, the new regulations have streamlined unnecessary inspections, making daily commuting more convenient for us.
I've been driving for over a decade and have undergone multiple annual inspections in Ningbo. The 2021 changes were quite considerate. The new regulations optimized the cycle for private vehicles with 9 seats or fewer: exempt from on-site testing for the first 6 years, only requiring collecting the inspection mark; first on-site inspection at year 6; exempt at year 8, simply submitting materials; and annual inspections after 10 years. This is much better than the previous biennial hassle, saving both money and effort. The key is that Ningbo inspection stations implemented it smoothly, adding an online appointment system to reduce queuing time, while strictly checking safety items like brakes and lights. I feel this policy takes car owners' burdens into account, benefiting frequent drivers like us. The only thing to note is that owners of older vehicles need more frequent maintenance to avoid minor issues delaying the inspection.
Let's discuss the technical aspects of Ningbo's 2021 annual inspection regulations. It simplifies the inspection cycle for non-commercial vehicles with 9 seats or fewer: exempt from on-site inspection for the first 6 years; on-site inspection required at the 6th and 10th year; exemption from inspection at the 8th year with only documentation required; annual on-site inspection after 10 years. Key changes include enhanced OBD diagnostic emission systems to prevent pollution exceedance, and more detailed visual inspections. Ningbo inspection agencies use digital tools to improve efficiency, which I believe strikes a balance between safety and convenience.
