What are the penalties for overdue vehicle annual inspection?
2 Answers
If a vehicle's annual inspection is overdue, traffic police may impose a fine and deduct 3 points upon inspection. Vehicles that fail to obtain the mandatory inspection compliance mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the validity period shall be deregistered. Therefore, exceeding three cycles will result in deregistration. Timely handling of violations: It is important to clear all traffic violations of the vehicle in advance and ensure the vehicle is properly maintained; otherwise, it will not pass the annual inspection. Only vehicles with no violations and in good condition can pass the inspection. Prohibition of illegal modifications: The vehicle's appearance must match that on the registration certificate, and illegal modifications are not allowed. If the vehicle has been modified with body kits, spoilers, or rims without filing with the vehicle management office, it must be restored to its original factory condition before undergoing the annual inspection.
I remember one time when my car's annual inspection was overdue, I got pulled over by the police on the road. They fined me 200 yuan and deducted 3 points from my license, plus my car was temporarily impounded. It took me a long time to get it back. The insurance agent told me that driving during the overdue period carries high risks—if an accident happens, the insurance company won't cover it, and the losses could be huge. Later, I learned my lesson and set a phone reminder two weeks in advance to check the car's condition, making sure basics like brake lights and tires were in good shape before heading to the inspection station on time. With the current financial pressure, the fine plus towing fees could easily cost me a week's living expenses—it's not worth the risk. I recommend everyone develop the habit of getting their annual inspection done on time—it's safer and saves money.
