
Exceeding 3 inspection cycles will result in compulsory scrapping. Vehicle Inspection: Vehicle inspection refers to mandatory testing for all vehicles with official license plates and registration certificates, equivalent to an annual physical examination conducted according to the 'Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety'. It helps promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourages enhanced vehicle maintenance, and reduces traffic accidents. 2014 Vehicle Inspection Policy: For family-use small passenger vehicles (7 seats or fewer) purchased in 2014, if no major accidents occur, they are exempt from on-site inspection for the first 6 years. However, owners must collect the annual inspection sticker and environmental protection sticker from the vehicle management office every two years. When the inspection time comes, simply bring the vehicle registration certificate and the valid compulsory traffic insurance policy for that year to the vehicle management office for processing.

With over a decade of driving experience, I've seen many fellow drivers suffer from forgetting vehicle inspections. If a car goes uninspected for three consecutive years, its registration will be directly revoked, effectively rendering the vehicle scrapped. What struck me most was my neighbor Lao Wang, who left his car unused and uninspected for over two years. In the third year, he received a notice from the DMV stating his car's registration was revoked. Re-registering cost him several times more in inspection fees and fines, plus the hassle of retaking the written driving test. Annual inspections are no trivial matter—getting them done on time each year ensures critical safety components like brakes and lights are functioning properly, preventing accidents on highways while saving money and time. Neglecting inspections also affects insurance rates, and getting caught driving without valid registration results in hefty fines. In short, three years is the hard limit—procrastination only makes things worse. I make it a habit to set calendar reminders to avoid missing deadlines.

I remember when I first got my car, I was so excited that I completely ignored the annual inspection rules and almost missed the deadline. Later, I checked online and learned that if a car hasn't been inspected for three consecutive years, it will be completely deregistered and the registration will be voided, making it illegal to drive. Now I understand that I need to go to the inspection station on time every year. Otherwise, by the third year, the car will be directly deregistered. At that point, not only will it cost unnecessary money to reinstate, but the procedures will be more complicated, and there might even be fines and penalty points. Cars that aren't inspected annually age faster internally, and the risk of breakdowns on the road increases significantly, especially with the braking system, which can easily cause injuries. As a newbie like me, I suggest adding the inspection date to your phone reminders—it's simple and quick, so don’t be lazy or procrastinate.

As someone who prioritizes life safety, I fully understand the importance of annual vehicle inspections. Failing to inspect your car for three consecutive years will result in deregistration, turning it into an illegal 'black car' that cannot be legally operated—posing even greater dangers. Uninspected vehicles may have hidden hazards like brake failure, and driving at night with non-functional lights is extremely risky, especially when children are passengers. The process to reinstate a deregistered vehicle is troublesome, costly, involves fines, and affects future insurance purchases. Spending a little time each year on inspections ensures safety and saves long-term expenses—never challenge the three-year limit.


