How to Handle Vehicle Annual Inspection?
3 Answers
How to handle vehicle annual inspection: Bring your driver's license, ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and the valid compulsory traffic insurance policy for the current year. Drive the vehicle to the vehicle management office or motor vehicle inspection station. Fill out the motor vehicle annual inspection application form at the vehicle management office. Then submit the form and other materials to the staff and pay the inspection fee. After payment, proceed outside for the vehicle's exterior inspection by the staff. Prepare a fire extinguisher and warning triangle. Once the exterior inspection is completed, proceed immediately to the online inspection. After the online inspection is finished, return to the hall and go to the designated window to collect the inspection pass form. Take the pass form to the designated window to collect the annual inspection sticker and environmental inspection pass sticker, completing the inspection process. When collecting the annual inspection sticker and environmental sticker, submit a copy of the vehicle registration certificate for each, which can be prepared in advance. Vehicle inspection can be conducted 60 days in advance. Arrange your time reasonably to avoid expiration, as overdue inspections may result in fines and a deduction of 3 points. Before the inspection, also check for any traffic violation records. Any existing violations must be resolved; otherwise, the inspection will not proceed.
Last year was my first time getting my car inspected, and it felt quite straightforward. I prepared copies of my ID, the original vehicle registration certificate, and a copy of that year's compulsory traffic insurance policy, then went to a nearby vehicle inspection station. I recommend calling ahead to check the station's operating hours to avoid a wasted trip. Upon arrival, I queued for registration, where staff had me fill out a form with vehicle details and my contact information. Next, the car was taken for checks like lights, brakes, and emissions—mine needed minor adjustments for an emission issue, but there was an on-site repair area to handle it. Finally, I paid the inspection fee, typically a few hundred yuan, and received the compliance sticker. The whole process took about two hours; going early or avoiding holiday rushes speeds things up. Newcomers might bring an experienced friend for support to avoid nervous mistakes. Driving with an expired inspection incurs heavy fines, so don’t delay—handle it promptly, not on the deadline.
As the family's designated driver, I often handle the annual vehicle inspection and believe the key lies in thorough preparation. I check the required documents a week in advance: original ID card, duplicate of the vehicle license, and a copy of the current year's insurance certificate are mandatory. Don't forget to clear out the trunk clutter to facilitate chassis inspection. It's advisable to wash the car exterior before heading to the inspection station, as some places strictly check emissions on dirty vehicles. I usually go on weekday mornings when there are fewer people, bringing water and snacks in case of long queues. The process involves first reporting the license plate number at the service counter to get a queue number, then waiting for your name to be called for the inspection line where technicians will check headlights, steering wheel alignment, horn, and tire pressure, among other things. If issues like a broken brake light are found, fixing them on the spot saves time and avoids rework. The cost is reasonable, typically between 150-300 yuan per inspection. I recommend affixing the inspection pass sticker immediately after payment to avoid forgetting and being questioned by traffic police. Completing the annual inspection gives me peace of mind, especially when driving my kids around, as vehicle safety is not something to be taken lightly.
