How long is the grace period for expired vehicle inspection in 2020?
4 Answers
2020 vehicle inspection expired has no grace period. According to Article 47, Paragraph 4 of the Motor Vehicle Registration Management Regulations, if a vehicle fails to undergo safety technical inspection within the prescribed period, the public security traffic management department will issue a warning or impose a fine. Only after paying the fine can the annual inspection be conducted. Article 49 of the Automobile Registration Regulations clearly stipulates that a vehicle can apply for an inspection qualification mark at the registration vehicle management office within 3 months before the expiration of the inspection validity period. Before applying, the owner should resolve all traffic violations and accidents related to the vehicle. According to the Motor Vehicle Third-Party Liability Insurance Terms, if an accident occurs when the insured vehicle has not undergone the required annual inspection or fails the inspection, or if the insured vehicle does not have a valid driving license, the insurer will not be liable for compensation.
Last year, my car's annual inspection also expired by a few days, so let me share my experience directly. Actually, Chinese regulations don't specify a specific grace period. Once it expires, it's considered illegal, and you might be fined 200 yuan with 3 points deducted. However, law enforcement is flexible, especially in small cities, where the police might tolerate a delay of three to five days without checking. I went for a supplementary inspection a week after it expired. At the vehicle management office, I paid the fine first and then had the car inspected. The whole process took about two hours. I suggest not following my example and delaying too long—take action as early as possible because the risk of getting caught on the road is high. Develop a habit of setting a reminder on your phone for the due date. For new cars, the first six years allow inspections every two years, so if you bought a car in 2020, you need to be careful until 2026.
From a safe driving perspective, an expired annual inspection is a major risk. I've learned this the hard way while driving—there's no official grace period. Once it's expired, it's equivalent to driving without a valid license, with penalties ranging from fines to vehicle impoundment. The safest option is to get it inspected as soon as possible. The process at the DMV is straightforward: bring your ID, vehicle registration, and compulsory insurance policy, pay the fee on-site, and get your vehicle inspected. Remember, if your vehicle is a small car from 2020, it might have just entered the annual inspection phase. Even a few days overdue can be critical—don't risk insurance claims over minor delays.
Grace period? Dream on! I drive often, so I never take annual inspections lightly. Even one day overdue should make you nervous—just go get it done right away. The DMV can handle it as soon as they open, but don’t delay too long or you’ll risk a ticket. Big cities enforce strictly, while smaller towns are more lenient. When getting the inspection, take the chance to check your lights and brakes—kill two birds with one stone. Your car is your partner—don’t let it "get sick." Timely inspections ensure safety.
