
If a car has not undergone the annual inspection for one year, it should not be driven anymore, and the owner should promptly go to the vehicle management office to complete the annual inspection procedures. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Penalty: Driving a vehicle with an expired annual inspection will result in 3 demerit points and a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan. According to the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations," any of the following violations by a motor vehicle driver will result in 3 demerit points. 2. Driving: Driving a motor vehicle on the road without undergoing the required regular safety technical inspection. Additionally, the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules will be given a warning or fined between 20 and 200 yuan.

I once forgot my annual vehicle inspection for a whole year and was a bit panicked at first, but dealing with it was actually quite simple. First, don't drive the car on the road anymore because getting caught with an expired inspection could result in a fine of 200 to 500 RMB and possibly points deducted from your license; it's best to have a family member help drive it to the inspection station or call a tow truck. Second, immediately contact the local DMV to schedule an inspection, bringing your vehicle registration and ID card—they usually prioritize handling overdue vehicles. Before the inspection, check basic things like tire pressure, lights, and brake lights yourself; if anything is broken, get it fixed to avoid failing the inspection. Remember that an expired inspection can affect insurance claims, so after completing the inspection, notify your insurance company to update their records. Next time, I set a reminder on my phone calendar to avoid forgetting again. Safety first—getting it done early gives peace of mind.

I often help friends check their cars and have seen many cases where people forget about the annual inspection. Just go directly to the designated inspection station to handle it, and don’t delay too long to avoid heavier fines. Before the inspection, it’s recommended to do a simple pre-check on your vehicle, such as looking for rust on the chassis or unusual engine noises, as these are often overlooked. At the station, the technician will focus on checking the emission system, since a car left idle for too long may have excessive exhaust emissions. If it fails, just repair it and retest. Penalties may include a fine of a few hundred yuan, but generally, your driver’s license won’t be revoked. Adding to the importance of annual inspections: regular checks can prevent accidents, such as issues with aging brakes. Set up an automatic reminder in the future to ensure you go on time every year and don’t disrupt your plans.

As a new driver, I forgot about the annual inspection for a whole year last year and was terrified when I realized it. After discovering the oversight, I quickly downloaded a testing app on my phone, made an appointment, and went the same day. The process was quick: I arrived at the station and finished the inspection in just half an hour, paying only the standard fee plus a small fine. I used to be afraid of the hassle, but now I've learned not to panic if the annual inspection is overdue—just take prompt action. I recommend checking your vehicle's condition at home first, like whether the bulbs are still working, and then setting an electronic reminder on your calendar. This approach saves time and hassle, making driving much more reassuring.


