Can a Self-Built Car Be Legally Driven on the Road?

[Jonah]

A self-built car must pass the national design finalization inspection and production finalization inspection, be included in the national motor vehicle sales catalog, and complete the license plate registration process to obtain a vehicle license before it can be driven on the road. Below is relevant information about cars: 1. Overview: According to the latest national standard in China, "Terms and Definitions of Types of Automobiles and Trailers" (GB/T-3730-1-2001), a car is defined as follows: a non-track vehicle driven by power, with four or more wheels, mainly used for transporting people and/or goods; or towing vehicles that carry people and/or goods. 2. Classification: Passenger vehicles: Passenger vehicles are primarily designed and technically characterized for transporting passengers and their personal belongings and/or temporary items, including the driver's seat, with a maximum of no more than nine seats. Commercial vehicles: Commercial vehicles are designed and technically characterized for transporting people and goods and can tow trailers.

[VonNova]

This is quite complex. I studied the regulations last year. For a homemade vehicle to be road-legal, it must pass dual certification from the MIIT announcement catalog and DMV registration. First, the announcement catalog requires all 100+ parameters of the vehicle to meet standards, down to the brightness of bulbs complying with national standards. I recall an elderly man in Shandong who built a solar car - just the crash tests took him half a year. The licensing process is even stricter, requiring VIN registration and on-site inspection of the entire vehicle structure. Honestly, very few homemade vehicles pass, but if you complete the full certification process according to regulations and obtain that blue-background license with white characters, congratulations - your vehicle is indeed road-legal.

[LorenzoDella]

As an automotive design professional, from a technical compliance perspective: homemade vehicles must pass 43 mandatory certifications to be legally roadworthy, with three core requirements. The powertrain must comply with China VI emission standards, the chassis requires strength calculation reports, and the lighting system must pass laboratory photometric testing. It's recommended to first build a prototype and submit it to the National Quality Inspection Center - crash tests, for instance, require actual vehicle-to-wall collisions. The entire certification process takes at least four months and costs no less than 70,000-80,000 RMB. Though challenging, I've seen cases in Shenzhen's modification circles where enthusiasts legally registered vintage cars through compliant modifications.

[McAnnie]

Hey, young folks, don't get too impulsive with homemade cars! My buddy welded a dune buggy last year, only to have it impounded by traffic police. Simply put, it's a three-step process: First, find a qualified inspection agency to issue a safety report, focusing on braking distance (must stop within 7 meters at 30 km/h). Then, prepare the vehicle identification code application and construction description to submit to the DMV. The most crucial part is ensuring the vehicle photos match the announcement catalog. I checked the latest regulations, and starting from 2023, an OBD environmental diagnostic interface is also required. So, be prepared for an ongoing hassle.