
There are three types of stickers that should be placed on the front windshield of a car: the annual inspection sticker, the vehicle environmental protection sticker, and the compulsory traffic sticker. Motor vehicles must undergo regular inspections. Only after passing the annual inspection can the vehicle receive the annual inspection compliance sticker. New cars do not require an annual inspection within the first six years, but they must visit the inspection center annually to obtain the annual inspection compliance sticker. The annual inspection items for motor vehicles include the braking system, lighting system, exterior appearance, and more. Motor vehicles must also undergo regular exhaust emissions testing, primarily for environmental protection purposes. After passing the exhaust emissions test, the vehicle is issued the environmental protection sticker. The compulsory traffic insurance sticker is required to be displayed after purchasing compulsory traffic insurance. Vehicles without compulsory traffic insurance are not allowed on the road. There are two types of environmental protection stickers: green and yellow, issued based on the vehicle model and emission standards after review. For new cars, the vehicle environmental protection sticker can be obtained after receiving the license plate, without the need for additional exhaust emissions testing at relevant departments. These three stickers must be affixed to the upper right corner of the front windshield as per regulations, ensuring they do not obstruct the driver's view. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties if discovered by traffic police.

The choice of emblems on the front of a car is quite particular! The most common one on the road is the yellow background with black characters that reads 'Beginner Driver.' New drivers are required by regulations to display this for a full year, which helps alert vehicles behind them to be more cautious. Owners of green-plated new energy vehicles often place lightning bolt emblems or 'EV' stickers on their grilles, while hybrid vehicle owners prefer blue-green gradient emblems. Some off-road enthusiasts affix towing hook emblems from rescue associations on their bumpers—both eye-catching and practical. By the way, the small annual inspection sticker in the top right corner of the windshield is particularly important. Although paper stickers are no longer required with the shift to digital, it’s still advisable to carry them during the transition period in certain regions. When choosing car emblems, opt for waterproof and reflective materials, and make sure not to place them where they might obstruct visibility.

The most amusing hood decal I've seen was a Peppa Pig bobblehead that even wobbled in the rain! But most people opt for practical stickers: novice drivers must display palm-sized yellow "L" plates with black characters; EVs often have reflective stickers with icons; modified car enthusiasts affix club badges on their grilles. A reminder: traffic regulations prohibit large reflective materials on bumpers. Annual inspection stickers are now digital and no longer need windshield placement, though some veteran drivers still place QR code parking notices in corners. Avoid regular stickers for emblems—they peel in rain. Reflective decals with 3M adhesive offer the best durability.

Front-end decals are categorized into three types: statutory decals such as the novice driver sign (mandatory for drivers with less than one year of experience) and the now-abolished environmental protection label; functional decals like the lightning symbol for new energy vehicles and the 4WD badge for four-wheel-drive models; and personalized decals including anime stickers and club emblems. Note traffic regulations: the prohibited area on the windshield is within 20cm directly in front of the driver's line of sight, and decals must not obstruct the driving view. Some car enthusiasts have been fined for placing oversized stickers on the hood, and even letters on the bumper must be size-controlled. I recommend using magnetic decals for easy replacement and removal during car washes.

Last year, right after getting my new car, I stuck a chrome letter emblem on the grille—looked especially cool in sunlight! But it was placed too high and blocked visibility during rain, so I had to reapply it. Here are some common front emblems nowadays: the yellow 'novice driver' decal that's supposed to go on the rear but many stick it on the front too; the blue globe emblem exclusive to EVs; and the tow hitch indicator stickers off-roaders put on their bull bars. Reminder to all: the annual inspection sticker for windshields has been digitized nationwide since 2020—peeling off the old ones gives a cleaner look. For those into itasha (decorated cars), note that hood graphics covering over 30% require DMV registration, or you'll face issues during annual inspections.

Common sticker locations on the front of the car: The top right corner of the windshield where the annual inspection sticker used to be placed is now left empty with the switch to electronic labels; Small personalized stickers under 10cm can be placed on the grille; Warning stickers on the bumper should not exceed the width of the license plate. The most practical front sticker I've seen is a glow-in-the-dark parking contact plate, directly attached to the front bumper. Friends driving pure electric vehicles are advised to add a lightning symbol with emergency contact - in case of an accident, rescue teams can quickly identify the power cutoff location. Avoid using low-quality adhesives for car stickers as residue is extremely difficult to remove. Opt for removable static cling or magnetic stickers for hassle-free application.


