Is the Vehicle Inspection Center Open on Saturdays?
3 Answers
Vehicle inspection stations and vehicle management offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, with normal inspections conducted only from Monday to Friday. Non-commercial vehicles are exempt from on-site inspections within the first 6 years, requiring only a biennial application for inspection labels. For vehicles over 6 years but under 10 years old, inspections are required every two years, meaning private cars need only two on-site inspections within 10 years—specifically in the 6th and 8th years. Private cars aged 10-15 years require annual inspections, while those over 15 years old need semi-annual inspections. Commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years and every 6 months thereafter. Trucks and large/medium non-commercial passenger vehicles require annual inspections within the first 10 years and semi-annual inspections thereafter. Motorcycles must be inspected every 2 years within the first 4 years and annually thereafter. Vehicles with any of the following conditions must undergo necessary procedures before being eligible for inspection: Vehicle condition does not match the records in the driving license or archives; Damaged, incomplete, or illegible license plates or driving licenses, or self-made license plates; Vehicles with modifications, model changes, or technical alterations without proper approval and change procedures; Failure to display the unit name and enlarged license plate characters as required; Improper installation of alarms or warning lights; Failure to pay road maintenance fees or insurance as required. Annual vehicle inspections primarily include the following items: Exterior inspection: Focuses on vehicle lights, body appearance, suspension, sunroof, and tires, checking if lights function properly, if there are any lighting issues, if the body color has been altered, or if the suspension has been modified; Emission test: Checks whether the vehicle's exhaust emissions meet national standards during high-speed operation; On-site inspection: Primarily examines the vehicle's braking system, headlights, horn, and chassis; Violation check: Any outstanding traffic violations must be resolved before the vehicle can pass the annual inspection.
Last week I went to the vehicle inspection center for some business, but it happened to be a Saturday, and the door was locked with no one inside. I asked the guy at the nearby gas station, and he said they usually only work from Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, and are closed all day on Saturdays. However, some branches in big cities might open for half a day on duty, like in Beijing or Shanghai, where you need to make an online appointment in advance. Nowadays, don’t they all have official apps or transportation bureau websites? I suggest you download one to check the local work schedule to avoid a wasted trip. The inspection can take a long time when it’s crowded, so it’s better to go on a Tuesday when there are fewer people. Remember to bring your vehicle registration certificate to avoid delays due to missing documents.
From everyone's experience, most vehicle inspection centers are closed on Saturdays, with regular business hours ending around 5 PM on Fridays. However, arrangements may vary by district—for instance, first-tier cities occasionally have special events with half-day operations. It's best to check the local traffic management website for announcements or call the hotline to confirm. A neighbor once mentioned making a wasted trip on a Saturday; since then, he's been using WeChat mini-programs to schedule weekday appointments for hassle-free service. During peak inspection periods, queues can be long, so avoiding rush hours in the morning and evening leads to greater efficiency.
