Are Vehicle Inspection Stations Open on Saturdays and Sundays?
5 Answers
Vehicle inspections cannot be conducted on weekends. According to national regulations, inspection stations operate from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on regular workdays and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Documents required for vehicle inspection: Original vehicle registration certificate, driver's license, original copy of compulsory traffic insurance, proof of vehicle and vessel tax payment, and ID card. Please note that all documents must be valid. Vehicle inspection cycles: Commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually for the first 5 years, and every 6 months thereafter. Trucks and large/medium non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually for the first 10 years, and every 6 months thereafter. Small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected every 2 years for the first 6 years, annually thereafter, and every 6 months after 15 years. Motorcycles must be inspected every 2 years for the first 4 years, and annually thereafter. Tractors and other vehicles must be inspected annually. Commercial vehicles that pass the safety inspection within the specified period do not need to repeat the inspection. Consequences of overdue vehicle inspection: Vehicles that fail to undergo inspection on time not only compromise road safety but also subject the driver to a fine and 3 demerit points according to the Road Traffic Safety Law. For any traffic accidents caused by vehicles that have not undergone the annual inspection on time, the responsible party will bear full or primary liability, and the insurance company will not be liable. This is because the insurance policy specifies that vehicles with overdue inspections are excluded from coverage. Particularly, according to the Compulsory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles, vehicles that fail to obtain an inspection certificate for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection period will be forcibly scrapped.
Whether vehicle inspection stations are open on Saturdays and Sundays depends on the specific city and location. Generally, inspection stations operate from Monday to Friday, typically from 8:30 AM to around 5:30 PM. Some may open on Saturdays, usually for half a day in the morning, but most are closed on Sundays. It's advisable to call ahead or check the local DMV's notice online before visiting. If Saturday service is available, arriving early can help avoid long queues and save time. Weekend schedules may affect the overall inspection process, so weekdays are more reliable to prevent unnecessary trips that could disrupt work or personal plans. Prepare all necessary documents in advance to complete the process in one go, and ensure your vehicle is well-maintained, especially if the inspection takes longer.
From my personal understanding, vehicle inspection sites such as the DMV or testing centers are mostly only open from Monday to Friday. Some places may operate on Saturday mornings, but they are almost entirely closed on Sundays with basically no staff on duty. You can try checking the local traffic management app or official website on your phone for convenient and quick information. Some chain stores are open for half a day on Saturdays, but slots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Last week, a neighbor went for a vehicle inspection on Saturday and had to wait quite a while due to the crowd. Try to avoid peak hours on weekends; going on Monday is more time-efficient and ensures safer driving.
I've been driving for many years and have visited many vehicle inspection stations. Most inspection stations operate from Monday to Friday, with some opening for half a day on Saturday, and all are closed on Sunday. There are regional differences, with larger cities possibly offering more weekend services. It's advisable to check the official website or call the hotline to confirm business hours to avoid a wasted trip. Having all the required documents ready for the inspection can ensure a smooth process without affecting your daily commute.
From my experience, vehicle inspection stations are mostly open on weekdays, with possible partial morning hours on Saturdays, but generally closed on Sundays. I recommend checking the local government website for announcements or asking friends for actual information. Weekdays from Monday to Friday are faster for processing, with fewer people and higher efficiency. Vehicle inspection is quite important, so scheduling it on a weekday is more reliable.
