
Vehicle inspection grace period is three months. The regular annual inspection includes the following three aspects: 1. Equipment check: Inspect whether the engine, chassis, body and their attachments are clean and functional, whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether any major assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records; 2. Performance check: Test the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, exhaust emissions, and whether these and other safety features comply with the technical requirements for safe operation of motor vehicles; 3. Appearance check: Verify whether the vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or altered, and whether the registration details on the driving license, license plate, and vehicle records match the actual vehicle condition, including any changes, and whether the necessary approval and modification procedures have been completed.

There's no grace period for overdue vehicle inspections! The day after the expiration date marked on your vehicle license is considered overdue. I've seen cases where owners were fined 200 yuan and deducted 1 point for being just one day late, plus having their vehicle impounded. Remember, driving with an expired inspection carries significant risks, as insurance may refuse to cover accident damages. Inspection stations dread encountering vehicles that have been delayed for months—rust-eaten chassis or completely worn brake pads often go unnoticed. My sincere advice: schedule your annual inspection 90 days in advance. Setting a reminder on your phone calendar takes no effort and is far easier than dealing with late inspections afterward.

Exceeding the validity period is considered overdue, and this boundary is particularly strict. A friend of mine had a car whose inspection was due on September 30th, but after the National Day holiday, they forgot to get it inspected. On October 8th, it was caught by a traffic camera and received a ticket. The most troublesome part is that if a car fails to undergo inspection for three consecutive inspection cycles (about three years for passenger cars), the system will automatically enforce compulsory scrapping. If you discover that your inspection is overdue, you must handle it immediately. You can check the latest status on the Traffic Management 12123 app. Bring the compulsory traffic insurance policy and the car owner's ID card to the inspection station to avoid a wasted trip.

Overdue annual inspection is actually linked to the driver's license penalty system. Last month, I helped my neighbor deal with an overdue vehicle. If it's overdue for less than 3 months, you can still complete a normal supplementary inspection, but you must first pay the fine at the traffic police station. If it exceeds three months, the vehicle must undergo on-site testing, including re-testing of lights and brakes. Older models suffer the most, as they often fail the emissions test. A sincere reminder to owners who have modified their rims: remember to switch back to the original factory size before the annual inspection, otherwise the inspector will directly issue a rejection notice.


