What is the new policy for vehicle annual inspection?

[DiArianna]

The new policy for vehicle annual inspection is as follows: 1. Exemption scope: The exemption scope for motor vehicles has been expanded from the original non-operational mini and small passenger vehicles with 6 seats or less within 6 years to non-operational mini and small passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats. After November 20, 2021, non-operational mini and small passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats that are less than 6 years old will be eligible for the exemption policy. 2. Inspection cycle: For exempted vehicles, the first 6 years can be exempted from on-site inspection, only requiring procedures every two years, while years 6-10 require an annual inspection. Under the new policy, the inspection cycle for private cars remains unchanged for the first 6 years, but for motor vehicles aged 6-10 years, the inspection frequency changes from annual to biennial. This means that exempted vehicles will have biennial inspections within 10 years, with only the 6th and 8th years requiring on-site inspection.

[LouisMarie]

In recent years, the annual inspection policies have been significantly relaxed, and I've studied them in detail. New vehicles are still exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years, but an electronic exemption label must be applied for every 2 years, which can be done via the 12123 traffic management app. A particularly practical change is that vehicles aged 7 to 10 years now only need to undergo on-site inspection twice. The original inspections in the 7th and 9th years have been canceled, and now inspections are only required in the 6th, 8th, and 10th years. Vehicles over 10 years old need to be inspected once a year, while vehicles over 15 years old still require inspections every six months. However, modified vehicles, accident-damaged vehicles, or those with violations do not qualify for these relaxed policies. The nationwide inspection station network also makes it convenient for out-of-town vehicle owners, but remember to bring your vehicle license and compulsory traffic insurance policy. Driving with an expired inspection can result in penalty points and fines if caught.

[Barros]

As a veteran with ten years of experience at inspection stations, let me tell you about the new changes: Private vehicles only need to be inspected three times in the first 10 years (at the 6th, 8th, and 10th years). For example, a car purchased in 2020 will have its first inspection in 2026 and the third inspection in 2030. The on-site inspection fee ranges from 300 to 500, and now includes new items such as tire tread depth and video recording of chassis components. Emission testing has been simplified, with OBD data reading replacing traditional exhaust tests for China VI vehicles. Pay attention to three important deadlines: the inspection validity period, insurance validity period, and clearing of violation records before passing the annual inspection. It is recommended to make an appointment one month in advance to avoid queuing.

[ORonan]

To make it clearer with a real-life example: my brother's SUV purchased in 2018 would have required inspections in 2024, 2026, and 2028 under the old rules. With the new regulations, it only needs inspections in 2024 and 2028, saving one inspection fee and time. This mainly benefits vehicles aged 7 to 9 years, as the two canceled inspections during this phase coincide with the high failure rate period. However, vans, illegally modified vehicles, and those recalled more than four times are not eligible for the new policy. Remember to clear any traffic violations before inspection, maintain standard tire pressure, and ensure brake lights are in good condition—these small details are the most common reasons for failing the inspection.

[AryaFitz]

From a policy coherence perspective, the new regulations extend the inspection cycle but enhance detection accuracy. For example, the newly added OBD port must read over 50 sets of data, and chassis inspections require video recordings to be uploaded to the regulatory platform. Vehicles over 10 years old will undergo focused checks on catalytic converters and suspension bushings. Motorcycles now enjoy a 6-year exemption from inspection, aligning with passenger cars, but annual inspections mandate the imprinting of the frame number. Special reminder: Commercial vehicles and pickup trucks still follow their original inspection cycles, while the battery status of new energy vehicles becomes a key inspection item. Cross-province inspections are permitted, provided the vehicle has no modification records.

[DiMiles]

Helping a friend deal with overdue annual inspection fines taught me the importance of timing: The inspection must be completed by the end of the month marked on the supplementary page of the vehicle license. For example, if the inspection is valid until March 2025, the latest date to pass the inspection is March 31. Driving with an overdue inspection risks a 1-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine if caught by traffic cameras, and insurance won't cover accidents in such cases. Under the new policy, inspections are more user-friendly, allowing inconsistent tread patterns on the same axle (though snow tires cannot be mixed), and headlights with insufficient brightness can be adjusted on-site for a recheck. It's advisable to check these common issues in advance: brake fault codes, handbrake strength, and missing license plate fastening screws—these minor issues can cause the most delays during re-inspection.