Will there be any issues if a family car's annual inspection is overdue by a few months?
2 Answers
If the annual inspection is overdue by one month, penalties will be imposed, including a 3-point deduction. Exterior Inspection: During the exterior inspection, the staff will present the Motor Vehicle Inspection Record Form and the Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Inspection Certificate. They will then check the vehicle's frame number, engine number, and other data. The inspection also includes verifying the vehicle's body color, the presence of a triangular warning sign, and whether fire extinguishers and other onboard tools are complete. If all checks pass, the staff will sign the record form. The signed form will then be handed to the owner, who will be notified to proceed with payment. Next, the owner must submit their personal documents to the staff, who will enter the inspection information into the system. The owner will then wait for the next inspection item. On-Road Inspection: The on-road inspection primarily tests the vehicle's emissions, lights, brakes, etc. The owner only needs to queue and drive the vehicle to the inspection entrance. The staff will collect the forms in order, and the owner can wait at the final photo station. As long as the vehicle has no faults or unauthorized modifications, these items will pass. Owners of vehicles that pass the inspection only need to hold the signed form, place the fire extinguisher and triangular warning sign at the rear, and slightly raise the tail of the sunroof before waiting for the staff to take photos.
I've been driving my family car for so many years, and letting the annual inspection lapse by a few months is no small matter. I remember once I delayed it for over two months and got stopped by traffic police—fined 500 yuan and had three points deducted from my license. If your car isn't inspected and you're caught driving it, they'll impound the vehicle immediately, which is a huge hassle. More importantly, your insurance might become void, and if an accident happens, the insurer could deny liability—way too risky. I suggest setting a phone reminder a month ahead to prepare for the inspection, so you don't end up scrambling when it's overdue. Road safety comes first; only with a well-maintained car can you travel with peace of mind. Getting the inspection done as soon as possible is the right move—otherwise, fines plus towing fees will cost you even more.
