What to Do If the Vehicle Annual Inspection Expires?
3 Answers
If a vehicle's annual inspection has expired without being addressed, the following penalties will be imposed according to relevant regulations: 1. Vehicles that fail to undergo the annual inspection on time are not allowed on the road; 2. Driving a vehicle without timely annual inspection will result in 3 demerit points and a fine; 3. If a traffic accident occurs involving a vehicle that has not undergone the annual inspection, the involved party will bear full or primary responsibility, and the insurance company will not compensate; 4. Driving on the road without timely annual inspection is considered illegal driving and may lead to the vehicle being impounded. If the vehicle has already exceeded the annual inspection deadline, the relevant procedures should be completed as soon as possible. Generally, for vehicles that have exceeded the annual inspection deadline by less than one year, timely completion of the annual inspection procedures at the vehicle management department will not result in penalties. The following documents are required for the annual inspection: 1. Original copy of the 'Motor Vehicle Driving License'; 2. Original copy of the valid compulsory traffic accident liability insurance policy for the current year; 3. Valid proof of payment or exemption of vehicle and vessel tax for the current year; 4. Original copy of the owner's identity proof. If an agent is applying, the agent's ID card and a written power of attorney signed by the vehicle owner must be submitted.
I've been driving for several years. Once, I was so busy on a business trip that I forgot about the annual inspection. By the time I remembered, it had been overdue for more than half a month. I hurriedly rummaged through my things to find the vehicle license and insurance policy, and on the way to the inspection station, I was nervous about being stopped by traffic police. The technician at the inspection station said that being overdue by less than three months was still manageable—I could just pay the fine on the spot and proceed with the inspection. However, he warned me that if it exceeded a year, the car would be directly scrapped, which gave me a scare. Now, I set a phone alarm a month in advance as a reminder and even taught my mom to help me keep track of the dates. Before the annual inspection, I check small things like lights and brake pads myself to avoid hassle at the inspection station. Towing fees are much more expensive than inspection fees, so I sincerely advise not to wait until it's overdue.
Vehicle inspection is no trivial matter. Last month, my neighbor got pulled over for an expired inspection, fined 500 yuan and had 3 points deducted. The key issue is that insurance will deny claims, potentially causing much greater losses in case of an accident. If you discover the inspection has expired, don't drive the car - it's best to call a tow truck to take it directly to the inspection station. You'll need to bring the vehicle registration certificate, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and the owner's ID card. The inspection fee itself isn't expensive, but there's a daily late fee for overdue cases. If it's been expired too long, you might need additional emissions testing. I've developed the habit of checking my insurance sticker every six months, and you can also check the inspection deadline on the DMV app. If you're really pressed for time, there are inspection proxy services available - spending a little money can save a lot of hassle.
