Can Vehicle Annual Inspection Be Done on Weekends?

[EllaFitz]

Vehicle annual inspection can be conducted on weekends. According to Article 15 of the "Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Motor Vehicle Inspection Work": Inspection institutions shall implement an uninterrupted system on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, providing extended inspection services. Contents of annual inspection: Check whether the engine, chassis, body, and their accessories are clean, complete, and effective; whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing; whether the main assemblies have been replaced and match the initial inspection records. Inspect whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lights, exhaust, and other safety performance meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles". Check whether the vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or altered; whether the driving license, license plate, and all registrations in the vehicle file match the actual condition of the vehicle, and whether any changes have been made; whether approval and alteration procedures have been completed. Check whether the license plate, driving license, and the enlarged license plate characters printed on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether replacement is needed. For large vehicles, check whether the unit name or the name of the street, township, or town where the vehicle is located, as well as the maximum number of passengers allowed in the cab, are printed in Chinese imitation Song font on both sides of the door as required. For trucks, check whether the rear tailgate (including the rear tailgate of the trailer) is printed with the vehicle number enlarged 2~3 times as required; for individual or joint-venture vehicles, check whether the word "individual" is printed on both sides of the door. The characters must be clear, and unit codes or other patterns are not allowed (special cases require approval from the vehicle management office).

[LeFelicity]

Actually, some vehicle inspection stations now operate on Saturdays for convenience, and in some areas, they're even open on Sundays. However, it depends on which city you're in—larger cities are more likely to have this option, while smaller towns might not. Last week, I checked on my local city service app and found that appointments were required, with Saturday slots filling up within half an hour. So, I recommend searching for nearby certified inspection stations on a map app and calling to confirm their weekend hours to avoid a wasted trip. Some stations may be open but close as early as 4 PM, much earlier than on weekdays. It's also best to avoid the end-of-month rush, otherwise you could end up waiting in line for two to three hours.

[ZacharyAnn]

I'm the type who likes to plan trips in advance, and over the years of vehicle inspections, I've found that service availability really varies by region. In big cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou, there are indeed weekend service windows, and some inspection stations in Beijing even offer half-day service on Sundays. But last time when I accompanied a friend for an annual inspection in a small county, they had a notice posted saying they were closed on weekends. Actually, you can try making an appointment through the local traffic police's official WeChat account. The successful appointment interface will indicate the available time slots. I recommend choosing a weekday morning for the most reliable experience—fewer people mean faster inspections, and you can be done in half an hour. If you must go on a weekend, remember to ensure that items like lights and brakes are in proper working condition beforehand, otherwise, on-site adjustments will just waste more time.

[NatalieDella]

Open the Traffic Management 12123 App on your phone, select the inspection appointment function on the homepage, and you can see the business hours of nearby stations. Some cities indicate weekend availability, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park location which is open all day on Saturdays. Just make sure to choose the small vehicle annual inspection channel to avoid queuing in the wrong line for commercial vehicles. I usually make an appointment three days in advance, bringing just the insurance policy, driver's license, and ID card—no need for the environmental label now as everything is connected online. The whole process takes about forty to fifty minutes, much more cost-effective than taking time off on weekdays.