Are Annual Inspection and Annual Review the Same Thing?
3 Answers
Annual inspection and annual review are not the same thing. The following are the differences between annual inspection and annual review: 1. Different aspects of inspection: Vehicle annual inspection is a performance test for the car, while annual review is an examination of aspects such as driving license fees and penalty points. 2. Different targets: Annual inspection targets the vehicle, while annual review targets both the vehicle and the driver. 3. Different inspection methods: Car annual inspection refers to the detection of abnormal sounds in the vehicle, equivalent to giving the car an annual physical examination. It includes the vehicle's chassis, bumper, horn, etc., using a step-by-step troubleshooting method to thoroughly inspect the car and promptly identify issues to prevent situations where the owner cannot drive normally. Car annual review refers to the inspection of not only the car itself but also the driver, the motor vehicle driving license, and car insurance. Before conducting the annual review, all traffic violations must be handled; otherwise, the annual review cannot be passed.
Speaking of this matter, as a driver with over 20 years of experience, annual inspection and annual review indeed mean the same thing. In the automotive circle, whether it's DMV staff or veteran drivers like us, these two terms are used interchangeably in daily conversations. There might have been minor differences before, such as annual review focusing more on driver's license checks, but nowadays regarding vehicle inspections, they are completely identical—both refer to the yearly safety and technical examination of the vehicle to check if lights, brakes, emissions, etc. are functioning properly. I've seen people get hung up on these terms and end up forgetting to get their inspection done on time, not only getting fined but also nearly causing accidents. Safety comes first, so I suggest everyone not get confused by literal meanings and just go to the inspection station promptly to get it done. New cars might be exempt for the first few years, but once that period ends, you'll need to make the trip annually for peace of mind.
When I first bought my car, I was also confused about whether annual inspection and annual review were the same thing. As a new car owner, I searched many posts online and found that everyone unanimously said in the context of cars, they essentially mean the same thing, both representing the annual vehicle safety check. When I mentioned it to my friends during conversations, the experienced ones laughed and said there's no need to differentiate—just go get the inspection done. The process includes emission tests and mechanical component checks to ensure road safety. Spending energy on distinguishing terminology might actually delay the process and affect the inspection. I myself learned a lesson from a late submission once, which required a lot of effort to rectify. Now I understand that the key is regular vehicle maintenance and not letting small issues delay the bigger picture.
