How many days will a car without annual inspection be impounded?
3 Answers
Penalties for cars without annual inspection vary depending on the duration. If the delay is within three months, the inspection can be directly completed with a verbal warning. If the delay exceeds three months but is less than two years, a fine will be imposed, and 3 points will be deducted from the driver's license. If the delay exceeds two years without an annual inspection, the vehicle's registration will be canceled, and restoration usually requires payment of a fine. Failure to conduct the annual inspection on time, which also means not displaying the inspection compliance label, will result in the vehicle being impounded and fined. The number of days the vehicle is impounded depends on the specific circumstances, as detailed below: Standard inspection procedure: The vehicle owner or unit must fill out the "Motor Vehicle Annual Inspection Form" and submit the vehicle for inspection at a designated location on the date specified by the local vehicle management office. After passing the inspection, the vehicle management authority will affix a stamp on the vehicle's registration certificate and the "Motor Vehicle Annual Inspection Form." Special cases: Vehicles that cannot undergo inspection on time due to long-term assignments outside the local area: The owner must submit an application, and the local vehicle management office will authorize the vehicle management office at the assignment location to conduct the inspection. The inspection results will then be reported to the original vehicle management office. Vehicles unable to undergo annual inspection on time due to special circumstances: The owner must apply for an extension in advance with the local vehicle management office.
I've been driving for over a decade and know this matter all too well. If your vehicle fails the annual inspection and gets caught by traffic police, they'll impound it on the spot—not just for a few days, but until you promptly complete the inspection. The actual duration isn't fixed; it depends on how quickly you resolve the issue. Typically, you'll need to pay a 200-yuan fine first, then drive to the inspection station for testing before retrieving your car. The whole process might take anywhere from two or three days to a week, depending on your efficiency. More importantly, driving an uninspected car carries significant risks—faulty brake lights or loose seatbelts could cause accidents, and there are plenty of crashes each year due to this. I must remind everyone: mark your inspection date on the calendar and set a phone reminder to avoid trouble and unnecessary expenses.
Last time I got caught up in this because I was too busy with work and forgot the annual inspection date. My car was immediately towed away when I was stopped. It was such a headache—it took me nearly a week to sort it out: first running to the traffic police station to pay the fine, then queuing up at the inspection station for the check, and the whole ordeal was exhausting. The key point is there's no fixed number of days for impounding the car; it stays there until you handle it. If you act fast, you can get it back in a day or two. This incident was a wake-up call for me—never delay the annual inspection. Only when the car is in good condition can you drive with peace of mind; otherwise, the safety risks are too high. I think everyone can learn from this experience—handle it promptly and don't procrastinate.
