What is the Vehicle Inspection Policy?

[GabrielaLee]

Vehicle inspection is essentially a health check for cars, and vehicles that fail the inspection are not permitted to drive on the road. Currently, the Ministry of Public Security has introduced new regulations for vehicle inspections in 2021, which mainly adjust the inspection items and came into effect on January 1, 2021. According to the "Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Inspection Items and Methods," the adjustments to inspection items are divided into two parts: private cars and freight vehicles, as detailed below: 1. Added Inspection Step: Private cars now include a "safety defect recall" step in the online inspection process. If a car has safety issues and the manufacturer is recalling it, the inspector will notify the owner about the recall situation. 2. Clarified Scope of Visual Inspection: The new regulations specify and relax the visual inspection standards, allowing modifications such as grilles, running boards, roof racks, and bumpers during the inspection. 3. Three Additions and Six Deletions for Freight Vehicles: (1) Newly Added: Three new inspection items—tire tread depth, wheel lifting device, and wheelbase. (2) Deleted: Six old items—noise, speedometer, suspension efficiency, fuel economy, power performance, and headlight offset.

[Dante]

As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, the annual vehicle inspection policy is a government regulation that requires cars to be sent to inspection stations every year or every two years to check safety and emissions. The core purpose is to ensure vehicles are roadworthy. It mainly involves checking whether the brakes are responsive, headlights function properly, steering systems operate smoothly, and whether exhaust emissions exceed standards—especially now with stricter environmental regulations and increasingly higher emission standards. New cars only need annual inspections after the first six years, but as vehicles age, inspections become more frequent. Failing to comply on time may result in fines starting from 200 RMB if caught by traffic police, along with potential penalty points and impacts on insurance claims. I think this policy is crucial for reducing traffic accidents. Regular maintenance of lights and tires is advisable to avoid delays and extra costs during inspections.

[JudeFitz]

As an environmentally conscious individual, the emission inspection during annual vehicle checks is essential. The policy requires testing whether harmful substances in vehicle exhaust, such as carbon oxides, fall within specified limits, primarily targeting air pollution issues in major cities. The frequency varies by vehicle age—for example, new cars enjoy more exemptions initially, while older vehicles must undergo annual testing. If emissions exceed standards, repairs to the exhaust pipe or engine are required first; continuing to drive without compliance may result in environmental fines. Although this adds some cost, it improves air quality in the long run, especially as electric vehicles become more widespread, making emission inspections smarter.

[SanHeidi]

As an ordinary person who drives to work every day, the annual inspection process is actually quite convenient: drive the car to a designated inspection station, where staff will quickly check commonly used components like lights, horn, and brakes. It usually takes about half an hour to complete before the inspection sticker is issued. The cost is typically around 300 yuan, and booking online in advance can save queuing time. However, if any components fail, such as a burnt-out bulb, repairs and retesting are required. This policy helps ensure vehicle health and reduces the risk of breakdowns.