How Early Can Vehicle Annual Inspection Be Conducted?
2 Answers
Vehicle annual inspection can be conducted up to 3 months in advance. For example, if a vehicle's inspection validity expires in September this year, the annual inspection period would be from July 1st to September 30th of the same year. There are multiple ways to check the annual inspection date. The most straightforward methods are to review the vehicle's registration certificate and compulsory traffic insurance e-policy, both of which display the vehicle's registration date. The registration month indicates the month when the annual inspection is due. Alternatively, you can directly check the annual inspection sticker, which clearly prints the inspection's validity period. Important notes regarding annual inspection: Vehicles that fail the inspection must be repaired within a specified time limit. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate their license plates and prohibit further operation. Vehicles that skip the inspection without valid reasons or fail the inspection are prohibited from driving on roads and cannot be transferred to other jurisdictions. Vehicles that meet scrapping criteria or exceed prescribed service years will not be inspected; their license plates will be revoked, records deleted, and the vehicles will be scrapped.
As a veteran driver with 15 years of experience, I often share car tips: How early can you do the annual inspection? Most places allow it up to three months before expiration. For example, my car was due last December, so I could get it inspected in early September. There are many benefits to doing it early: avoiding peak periods means fewer people and faster service; it also lets you identify and fix minor issues like brake responsiveness or taillight functionality; and it prevents potential fines of at least 50 yuan per day if you forget the deadline. Just bring your ID, vehicle license, and compulsory insurance slip, and booking via mobile app in advance saves effort. Regulations vary by location—Beijing allows 90 days early, Shanghai 60 days—so check the local official website or app to confirm. In short, I recommend doing it two months early for peace of mind, unlike my past procrastination that cost extra money and caused delays.
