
According to the official WeChat account of Jinan Vehicle Management Office, after July 1, 2020, non-local motor vehicles that fail to meet the National V emission standards are prohibited from being transferred into Jinan. This means that in 2021, motor vehicles meeting the National V emission standards can still be imported into Jinan. The original text is as follows: In accordance with the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and other relevant regulations, the following announcement is made to further strengthen the management of non-local motor vehicles transferred into the city: Non-local motor vehicles: Non-local motor vehicles (referring to motor vehicles registered outside the administrative jurisdiction of our city, excluding motorcycles, the same below) that fail to meet the current emission standards for motor vehicle registration in our city, as well as various types of operational or "operational to non-operational" non-local motor vehicles, are prohibited from being transferred into our city. Emission standards: The municipal environmental protection department is responsible for reviewing the emission standards of transferred non-local motor vehicles. If the requirements are not met, the municipal public security traffic management department will not process the registration procedures.

I remember in 2021 when I helped a relative transfer an out-of-town used car to Jinan, the process was quite troublesome. The main standard was the emission level—Jinan required the car to meet the China 6 emission standard to be registered, otherwise, the vehicle management office wouldn’t process the paperwork. My friend’s car was China 5, and it got stuck during the emission test because it didn’t meet the standard. We had to modify parts like the catalytic converter to pass, which cost quite a bit. Additionally, the car’s age was an issue—older cars, especially those over 10 years, might be rejected outright. So, it’s best to check the vehicle’s environmental rating and certificates before transferring. I’d recommend downloading the inspection guidelines from the Jinan Vehicle Management Office’s website or app in advance to avoid wasted trips. Overall, ensuring the emissions meet the standard is key—otherwise, you’ll spend time and effort without peace of mind.

Having worked in the auto repair industry for a long time, I've seen many out-of-town car owners struggling with relocating their vehicles to Jinan. The 2021 standards focused heavily on China VI emission controls, requiring vehicles' exhaust systems to pass strict tests during inspection, otherwise registration would fail. Cars failing to meet emission standards needed component upgrades like catalytic converters or oxygen sensors, but the success rate was low. Owners also had to check their vehicle's registration age - cars over 5 years old required extra caution with environmental certificates. I always advised them to take their vehicle documents to testing sites for actual measurements; if emission values exceeded standards, it was better to give up and save the hassle. During the relocation process, the DMV would check archival records to ensure no illegal modifications were present.

As someone who cares about the environment, I quite agree with Jinan's 2021 vehicle relocation standards. The policy emphasizes China VI emission standards, requiring that used cars' exhaust pollution levels must be within the qualified range to be registered, which not only reduces air pollution but also encourages car owners to switch to clean energy vehicles. Vehicles exceeding emission standards cannot be relocated, which instead encourages people to use public transport or electric vehicles and drive less. For specific rules, you can refer to the notice from Jinan Environmental Protection Bureau, as the emission limits are clearly defined and can be checked at inspection points. Non-compliant vehicles cannot be driven on the road, saving money and protecting the environment in one fell swoop.


