What to do if the vehicle annual inspection has expired?
2 Answers
If the vehicle annual inspection has passed its validity period, you need to go to the traffic police department to accept penalties (a fine and 3 demerit points). After completing the penalties, proceed to the inspection station for a normal vehicle inspection. The process of accepting penalties at the traffic police department can be quite troublesome, requiring multiple trips between the bank and the traffic police department, with slight variations depending on the region. Below are some important points to note regarding overdue vehicle inspections: 1. Accident Liability: For any traffic accidents caused by a vehicle that has not undergone the annual inspection on time, the person involved will bear full or primary responsibility, and the insurance company will not be liable. This is because the insurance policy explicitly excludes coverage for vehicles with expired inspections. 2. Mandatory Scrapping: According to the "Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles," if a motor vehicle fails to obtain an inspection compliance mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of its inspection validity period, it will be subject to mandatory scrapping.
I was really panicked when my car's annual inspection expired, especially after driving for over a decade—this was the first time I'd encountered such a situation. The moment I realized it had expired, I immediately parked my car and didn't dare drive it anymore because the risks were too high—getting caught by the police would mean fines and penalty points, and worse, if an accident happened, insurance wouldn't cover it, leaving me fully responsible. I quickly checked online for nearby inspection stations, made an appointment, and brought my driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance documents. The staff there were quite patient—they rechecked the lights, brake system, and charged a small overdue fee. The whole process took just half an hour. It was a hard lesson, so now I set a reminder on my phone app two weeks in advance to schedule the annual inspection and avoid forgetting again. At its core, the annual inspection is about safety, ensuring the car is in proper condition. Driving without a valid inspection is irresponsible to yourself and others. Remember, don't delay—handle it early for peace of mind, saving both money and hassle.
