What are the regulations for annual vehicle inspection?
4 Answers
Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within the first five years; after five years, they must be inspected every six months. Below is an introduction to the annual vehicle inspection regulations: 1. Time: For small cars and blue license plate minivans, within the first six years after new vehicle registration, inspection is required every two years; after six years, inspection is required annually; after ten years, inspection is required once a year, and after fifteen years, inspection is required twice a year. For trucks, after registration, inspection is required annually; after ten years, inspection is required twice a year. 2. Regulations: If a vehicle is found by traffic police on the road without an annual inspection, the owner will be fined or the vehicle may be impounded. Additionally, in insurance contracts, vehicles that have not undergone timely annual inspections are considered unqualified, and no claims will be paid in the event of a car accident.
I've been driving for over twenty years and am very familiar with the annual inspection regulations. New cars are exempt from inspection for the first six years, after which they must be inspected annually. The inspection items include critical safety components such as headlight brightness, brake system sensitivity, tire wear, and exhaust emissions. I once failed because the brake pads were too thin and had to get them fixed before passing. You need to bring your vehicle registration certificate and compulsory traffic insurance policy to the DMV or authorized inspection stations, with fees ranging from 80 to 200 yuan depending on the vehicle model. Annual inspections are not just a formality—they help prevent potential traffic accidents. I recommend getting your vehicle serviced one or two weeks in advance, such as replacing bulbs and cleaning the air filter, to improve the pass rate and avoid wasting time. Remember not to delay, or you might end up waiting in long lines at the inspection station, which can be quite frustrating.
As a new car owner, I felt both nervous and curious during my first annual inspection. The regulation states that new cars are exempt from inspection for the first six years, followed by an annual check thereafter. The focus is on verifying whether the lights function properly, if the tire tread depth meets requirements, and if the engine emissions comply with standards. I brought my vehicle license and insurance policy to the local DMV, and the process was completed in about an hour. The inspector also reminded me to check minor details in advance—my low tire pressure almost caused a fail. The cost was just over 100 yuan, simpler than expected. New drivers, don’t worry: just spare some time to check your lights and tire pressure beforehand for a smooth pass. Once it becomes a habit, annual inspections turn into a necessary step for road safety, offering peace of mind and self-protection.
I drive all year round, and the part of the annual inspection regulations that concerns me the most is the safety check section. It mandates testing core items such as brake response, complete functionality of lights, and chassis stability. These inspections are directly related to accident prevention; for example, a brake failure issue was detected during last year's inspection, allowing me to get it repaired in advance. The regulations require that new vehicles undergo an annual inspection starting from the 6th year, and if they fail, they must be re-inspected within 10 days. I suggest everyone pay more attention to the condition of these components in daily life—safety comes first, no compromises. Never be careless and ignore them, as one inspection can save lives.
