Can I get my car inspected during the National Day holiday?
3 Answers
Motor vehicle inspection centers are closed during the National Day holiday, though a few areas may remain open. Inspection frequency: Starting from the first annual inspection, for small cars with a service life of less than 6 years, exhaust emission testing is required once a year, while safety testing is conducted every two years. For small cars with a service life exceeding 6 years, both exhaust emission and safety inspections are performed annually. Documents required for vehicle inspection at the DMV: Bring your vehicle registration certificate, ID card, driver's license, and compulsory insurance policy within the current validity period. Drive the vehicle to the DMV or an authorized motor vehicle inspection station. If someone else is handling the inspection on your behalf, the agent must bring their driver's license and ID card.
I usually work at an inspection station, so I have to let you know in advance that the vehicle management office and most inspection stations will be closed during the National Day holiday. They don't operate on statutory holidays, so it's basically impossible to get an annual inspection done. However, some cities may have a few inspection stations open for duty during the last two days of the holiday. I recommend checking the local traffic police's official WeChat account for specific arrangements. If your vehicle's annual inspection is about to expire, it's best to get it done before the holiday to avoid making a wasted trip on National Day itself. Actually, the Traffic Management 12123 app can show the real-time status of nearby inspection stations, and making an appointment in advance is more convenient. By the way, vehicles exempt from inspection within six years can get an electronic label on the app anytime without needing to visit in person.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I also encountered vehicle inspection issues during last year's National Day holiday. Thinking there would be fewer people during the holiday, I went to get it done but ended up being turned away. Now I understand that although inspection stations across the country have varying holiday schedules, most suspend services throughout the entire National Day holiday. If you're really in a hurry, you can try the 12123 appointment platform—some stations in cities like Hangzhou and Chengdu may open for a few hours around October 6th. Here's a little tip: look for inspection stations that collaborate with 4S shops, as they might have staff on duty during holidays. But honestly, it's much more hassle-free to get it done half a month in advance—you'll avoid the pre-holiday rush and won't disrupt your travel plans.
