How Long Can a Vehicle Annual Inspection Be Delayed at the Latest?
2 Answers
Vehicle annual inspections cannot be postponed; even a one-day delay will result in penalties. Vehicle inspections can be conducted up to three months in advance but cannot be delayed. Failing to complete the inspection on time is considered overdue, and if caught by traffic police, it may result in a deduction of three points and a fine of up to 200 yuan. Annual inspections can only be conducted early, not late. Driving a vehicle with an expired inspection is illegal. The contents of a vehicle annual inspection include: 1. Checking whether the engine, chassis, body, and related equipment are clean, complete, and functional, whether the paint is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether major components have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records. 2. Verifying whether the vehicle's braking, steering, lighting, exhaust, and other safety performance meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles." 3. Checking whether the vehicle has been modified or altered, whether the driving license, license plate, and vehicle records match the actual condition of the vehicle, and whether any changes have undergone approval and modification procedures. 4. Inspecting whether the license plate, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether they need replacement. 5. For large vehicles, verifying whether the unit name or the name of the street, township, or town where the vehicle is registered, as well as the maximum seating capacity in the driver's cabin, are correctly displayed in Chinese imitation Song font on both sides of the doors as required.
Last year, my vehicle's annual inspection expired, and I carelessly delayed getting it done. As a result, I was fined 200 yuan by traffic police within less than a month—it really hurt. The staff explained that you really can't delay the annual inspection for too long, as there's typically no official grace period. You could get a ticket the very day it's overdue. Some places might give you a buffer of ten days or half a month, but don't count on it. I've heard that delaying up to a month is the absolute limit; any longer, and the fine could double, or your car might even be ordered off the road. What's worse, in case of an accident, insurance could deny your claim due to the invalid inspection—totally not worth it. Now, I always schedule my inspection two weeks in advance using an app to avoid disrupting my daily commute. After all, safety comes first, and getting the inspection done on time saves both hassle and money.
