What to Do If a Car Fails Annual Inspection for One Month?

[StOlivia]

According to relevant penalty standards, failing the annual inspection for one month will not result in penalties as long as you promptly go to the vehicle management office to redo the annual inspection. Motor vehicles can undergo annual inspection within three months before the deadline. The deadline for annual inspection can be checked on the supplementary page of the vehicle license.

[Cameron]

My car also missed the annual inspection by one month last time, so I hurried to the DMV to get it rechecked. Don’t drive it to the inspection station yourself—call a tow truck or ask a friend to help drive it over. Make sure to clear all traffic fines in advance and bring all required documents like the vehicle license and compulsory insurance policy. With the hot weather lately, remember to go early to queue, as some DMVs start issuing numbers as early as 7:30 AM. The inspection fee is around 200–300 RMB, and if minor issues like a broken brake light are found, it’s best to fix them on the spot. After getting it rechecked, I even set a reminder on my phone to avoid forgetting again next year. Driving an uninspected car is too risky—insurers might even deny claims.