How to Handle Overdue Vehicle Inspection?
3 Answers
Bring your corresponding documents to the nearest traffic police detachment, vehicle management office branch, or one-stop units authorized by the traffic management department, such as public security hospitals, to handle the license renewal. Fill out the application form and pay a 10-yuan processing fee. Then submit all documents and materials to the staff and wait to receive the new license, which is usually processed on the spot.
A while ago, my vehicle's annual inspection was overdue by two months, and I was really stressed out about it. The first step was to immediately contact the vehicle management office to schedule a make-up inspection, as I learned that exceeding three months could result in point deductions and fines. Remember to bring your vehicle license and compulsory traffic insurance policy, and if your car has been modified, you need to restore it to its original condition beforehand. During my inspection queue, I discovered that the brake lights weren't working, so I had to quickly find a repair shop to fix them before passing. I recommend going early to avoid crowds, and nowadays, it's very convenient to book through mobile apps. The key point is to absolutely avoid driving on the road during the overdue period—getting caught by the police could lead to immediate vehicle impoundment and fines, and in case of an accident, insurance won't cover it. It's best to set a phone reminder at least a week in advance to save on fines and avoid unnecessary hassle.
Vehicle annual inspection expiration can be a minor or major issue. I've encountered three common scenarios: If it's just expired within one month, usually you can directly proceed with a supplementary inspection; exceeding three months may incur a 200-yuan fine; if expired for over a year, you might need to undergo a full re-inspection and could face license suspension. It's best to stop driving the vehicle immediately and check the nearest inspection station via the Traffic Management 12123 app. Some veteran drivers suggest addressing excessive exhaust emissions first, but I recommend pre-checking problematic components like lights and brake pads. Getting caught driving with an expired inspection three times or more results in fines plus mandatory retaking of the written driving test. Experienced owners leave a two-week buffer to handle potential re-inspection failures.
