Can a car without annual inspection drive on the highway?
4 Answers
Vehicles that have not undergone annual inspection are not allowed to drive on highways, otherwise they will be penalized if caught. Overview of vehicle annual inspection: Vehicle annual inspection refers to the annual inspection of vehicles that have obtained official license plates and registration certificates, conducted in accordance with the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety." The purpose is to check the main technical conditions of the vehicle, encourage enhanced maintenance, ensure the vehicle is always in good condition, and guarantee driving safety. Vehicle annual inspection schedule: For passenger transport vehicles, inspections are conducted once a year within the first 5 years. After 5 years, inspections are conducted every 6 months. For trucks and large or medium-sized non-passenger transport vehicles, inspections are conducted once a year within the first 10 years. After 10 years, inspections are conducted every 6 months. Vehicle annual inspections are divided into initial inspections and regular inspections.
I wouldn’t recommend risking driving an uninspected small car on the highway. Having driven for over a decade, I’ve seen too many accident cases. Once, I forgot to renew my car’s inspection and tried sneaking onto the highway for a trip, only to be pulled over by traffic police halfway, fined 200 RMB, and penalized with points. On the highway, speeds are high, and uninspected cars may have issues like brake failure or malfunctioning lights—if a rear-end collision or loss of control occurs, the consequences could be dire. Annual inspections aren’t just a formality; they check critical safety indicators like lights, brakes, and emissions. Regular checks prevent accidents. Don’t brush it off—spend an hour at the inspection station to get it done. Otherwise, getting your car impounded will cause even more hassle, not to mention compromising safety. There are plenty of cameras on the highway—you won’t get away with it.
I recently bought a car and was also worried about this issue. After asking friends and the 4S store, I learned that small cars absolutely cannot go on the highway without an annual inspection. The annual inspection is a mandatory check required by law, mainly to ensure the safety of the vehicle, such as the braking system and tire wear, which can amplify risks on the highway. If an uninspected car has broken lights or an oil leak in the engine, it becomes dangerous while driving and could be stopped by highway police, resulting in a fine of 500 yuan or even more. New drivers especially shouldn’t take it lightly—don’t try to save time or effort; get the inspection done when needed. Insurance claims sometimes also depend on inspection records. If there’s an accident without records, the insurance company might refuse to pay, which would be a huge loss. Regular inspections ensure peace of mind when driving on the highway, and don’t feel bad about the inspection costs.
From a legal perspective, unregistered vehicles are not allowed on highways. The Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that vehicles must undergo annual inspections to be legally driven on roads, including highways. If caught, drivers face a fine of 200-500 yuan, 3 demerit points, and possible vehicle impoundment. Highway toll stations often conduct random checks, making the risk too high. Unregistered vehicles pose significant safety hazards, such as aged tires and insufficient braking, which can easily trigger chain accidents on highways, endangering both the driver and others. It is advisable to schedule an annual inspection immediately—a small cost for peace of mind.
