What happens if a vehicle is found driving with an expired annual inspection?
2 Answers
You will be warned or penalized. If the vehicle's annual inspection has expired, you should promptly go to the vehicle management office or an automotive inspection station to complete the annual inspection. Since failing to conduct the annual inspection on time is a violation of regulations, traffic management authorities have the right to impose administrative penalties, typically a warning or a fine of up to 200 yuan. After paying the fine, the owner can proceed with the annual inspection as required. Below is additional information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Introduction: Vehicle annual inspection (Vehicles-inspection), also known as motor vehicle inspection. The inspection items and scope vary depending on the vehicle's usage. 2. Inspection items: According to the definition in RB/T218-2017 "Requirements for Qualification and Competence Assessment of Inspection Bodies—Motor Vehicle Inspection Institutions," motor vehicle inspections include three categories: motor vehicle safety technical inspection, motor vehicle emissions inspection, and comprehensive vehicle performance inspection.
I always find it quite annoying when driving with an expired vehicle inspection gets you caught. First, the traffic police will stop you and issue a ticket directly, with fines ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand yuan, depending on how long it's been expired—I’ve seen the minimum start at 200 yuan. Second, they’ll deduct points from your driver’s license, usually 3 points, which isn’t good for your driving record. If you delay too long, your car might even be impounded, and you’ll have to spend time getting it re-inspected to confirm it’s still roadworthy. I went through this once—I forgot to get my car inspected, got caught while driving, and ended up paying a fine while wasting half a day. The key issue is that without a valid inspection, your car insurance becomes void. If an accident happens, the insurer might refuse to cover you. My advice? Set a calendar reminder and get your inspection done on time—it saves hassle, money, and keeps you safe.
