What is the grace period for overdue annual vehicle inspection?
2 Answers
There is no 30-day grace period for vehicle annual inspection, and the inspection must be conducted before the expiration of the validity period. The optimal time for annual inspection is within 3 months before the inspection date, preferably 1-2 months in advance. Introduction to Vehicle Annual Inspection: Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for all vehicles that have obtained official license plates and driving certificates. It is equivalent to an annual physical examination for vehicles in accordance with the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety". Best Time for Vehicle Annual Inspection: Motor vehicles can apply for annual inspection within 3 months before the inspection date. It is best to do it two months or more than one month in advance, rather than waiting until there are only a few days left before the inspection expires. In addition, before the 10th of each month, the workload of the inspection stations is relatively low, which is a good opportunity to avoid queues. The number of vehicles starts to increase in the middle of the month, and the end of the month is the peak period.
I remember when I first bought my car, I didn’t know about the grace period for annual inspections. Last year, I was fined 200 yuan and deducted 3 points by the traffic police for being just two days overdue, which made me realize there’s no grace period—it becomes invalid immediately upon expiration. Now, I use the 12123 Traffic Management App to set reminders and get it done a week in advance. For the first few years, small cars are exempt from on-site inspections, but remember to collect the inspection sticker. If it’s overdue, don’t risk driving to the inspection station—ask a friend for help or call a tow truck. Also, rules vary by vehicle type. For example, my neighbor’s motorcycle needs an annual inspection, and overdue inspections can easily affect insurance. Safety first—timely inspections ensure safety and save money.
