Does a 15-year-old vehicle require biannual inspections?
2 Answers
Vehicles that have been in use for fifteen years require biannual inspections. Below are the specific regulations for vehicles of different ages: 1. Passenger vehicles for commercial use: Passenger vehicles for commercial use must undergo one inspection per year within the first 5 years; after 5 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. 2. Trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles: Trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must undergo one inspection per year within the first 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. 3. Small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles: Small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles must undergo one inspection every 2 years within the first 6 years; after 6 years, they must be inspected once per year; after 15 years, they must be inspected every 6 months.
I've been driving for quite a few years now, and my nearly two decades of driving experience have made me well aware of the rules for these older cars. Vehicles over fifteen years old indeed require two annual inspections, usually scheduled once in the first half and once in the second half of the year. This is mainly because as cars age, various parts wear out significantly, increasing safety risks—for instance, the braking system might fail, or the exhaust pipe is prone to corrosion. Take my own 2005 Jetta, for example; every spring, I have to make a trip to the DMV to queue up for an inspection, and then do it all over again in the fall. Don’t find it troublesome—it’s a big deal. If something goes wrong on the road, it’s not just dangerous for you but also affects others. I recommend making an appointment a month in advance and checking the lights and tires while you’re at it. This way, the pass rate is higher, saving you the hassle of going back and forth.
