Is There a 30-Day Grace Period for Vehicle Annual Inspection in 2021?
2 Answers
In the 2021 new annual inspection policy, there is no 30-day grace period for vehicle annual inspections. Exceeding the validity period will result in an overdue inspection, and the inspection should be completed within 90 days before the expiration date. Otherwise, it will lead to a missed inspection. Vehicles with a missed inspection cannot continue to be driven on the road, and insurance companies will not compensate for accidents caused by forcibly driving such vehicles. Annual Inspection Policy for New Vehicles Within Six Years: For private cars, new vehicles can enjoy a six-year exemption from on-site inspections. Here, 'new vehicles' refer to brand-new cars, and used cars are not considered new. Exemption from on-site inspections does not mean no inspection is required; it simply means the vehicle does not need to be driven to the inspection station at the vehicle management office for the annual check. Annual Inspection Policy for Vehicles Between Six and Ten Years: After six years, vehicles can undergo biennial on-site inspections within ten years. This means inspections are required at six years, eight years, and ten years. Apart from these three inspections, no other annual inspections are needed during this period. What to Do If You Forget the Annual Inspection: If the annual inspection validity period is missed, the vehicle will enter an overdue inspection status. In theory, it cannot be driven on the road during this time. If stopped by traffic police, the vehicle may be impounded, and insurance companies will not cover any accidents involving such vehicles. For vehicles exempt from on-site inspections, you can directly take the relevant documents to the vehicle management office for inspection. After passing, you can obtain an electronic compliance label and continue driving. For vehicles requiring on-site inspections, towing assistance may be needed, or if the vehicle has been penalized by traffic police, you can drive to the inspection station with the penalty notice for a supplementary inspection.
Back in 2021, I remember many friends had their vehicle inspections due. There was indeed a 30-day grace period at that time, meaning if your inspection expired on May 1st, you could get it done by May 31st without fines. However, this rule varies by location – stricter enforcement in big cities, more lenient in smaller towns. My advice: don't wait until the last few days of the grace period to avoid long queues causing delays. Also, check your lights and tire conditions beforehand to prevent multiple trips for retests. Regularly check local traffic authority websites for updates rather than relying solely on word-of-mouth – accurate information gives peace of mind.
