What to Do If Your Vehicle Inspection Is Overdue by 4 Days?
3 Answers
Vehicle inspection is an unavoidable task for every car owner. However, during the inspection process, some car owners may delay due to personal matters, resulting in an overdue inspection or late annual inspection. If your vehicle has exceeded the inspection deadline, the first thing you should do is stop driving it on the road and promptly arrange for a supplementary inspection. According to Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," vehicles that fail to undergo safety technical inspections within the specified period will be issued a warning or fined up to 200 RMB by the public security traffic management department. Driving with an overdue inspection is illegal, and a supplementary inspection should be conducted as soon as possible. Operating a vehicle without a valid inspection is considered illegal driving, and in the event of an accident, the insurance company will not provide compensation. Therefore, car owners must ensure their vehicles undergo regular annual inspections. Documents required for vehicle inspection include: the vehicle registration certificate (both original and duplicate copies); a valid third-party liability insurance policy with a coverage period of at least one year. If the vehicle is purchased through installment payments and the original insurance policy is unavailable, provide a copy of the insurance policy (stamped by the insurance company) and the insurance card, along with an explanation. Additionally, bring your ID card and a copy of it. Note that both the original and the copy are required, and the ID copy should be neatly trimmed along the edges.
If your vehicle inspection is overdue by 4 days, I've experienced similar situations several times. Generally, just quickly find a nearby inspection station to handle it. Bring your vehicle license and compulsory traffic insurance policy, but don't drive there to avoid being caught and fined—if checked, you could be fined around 100 to 200 RMB. The process is simple: the staff will help you conduct a supplementary safety inspection of your vehicle. Once everything is confirmed to be fine, pay a supplementary inspection fee, which typically ranges from a few dozen to around 100 RMB. After it's done, remember to set a calendar reminder on your phone for the next annual inspection. A short overdue period isn't a big issue, but don't delay too long—prolonged delays might lead to point deductions or affect your insurance. The key is to stay calm; you can get it done within an hour, and you might even get a free fresh air filter replacement, making your car run smoother.
I made this mistake right after buying my car - it was just a few days overdue, so I immediately stopped driving and took a taxi to the DMV. Driving with an expired inspection can result in traffic police fines or demerit points, with penalties ranging from hundreds to potentially more, which really isn't worth it. Bring documents like your ID and vehicle registration, and the inspection station will quickly check key components like lights and brakes to ensure safety. I also recommend using an annual inspection reminder app or mini-program for automatic notifications to avoid forgetting. The whole process was smooth and completed within half an hour, plus I picked up some car maintenance tips like regular oil changes. After the make-up inspection, driving feels much more secure without worrying about being pulled over.
