Can a White Car with a Black Roof Pass the Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
A white car with a black roof cannot pass the annual inspection unless it has been reported to the vehicle management office in advance. According to the relevant provisions of the current motor vehicle registration regulations, any changes to the body color, model, performance, purpose, or structure of a licensed motor vehicle, including replacing the frame, body, or engine, require the owner to apply for a change of registration with the vehicle management office. In principle, adding a spoiler, installing a full body kit, or modifying the exhaust pipe are not allowed. The annual vehicle inspection refers to a mandatory test for every vehicle that has obtained an official license plate and registration certificate, equivalent to an annual physical examination of the vehicle based on the technical conditions for safe operation of motor vehicles.
I used to drive a white car and deliberately wrapped the roof in black to look cooler, but last year's annual inspection got stuck. The inspection requires the car's color to match the registration information, and any unregistered color changes will fail. I hadn't filed for the modification at the time, and the inspection station immediately flagged me when they saw the registration still listed a white car. I had to spend time at the DMV to complete the paperwork. The filing process isn't complicated—just bring your ID and vehicle license, fill out a form to update the color registration, and possibly pay a small fee, and it's done. If you skip this, the police might pull you over and impose fines or even deduct points, which isn't worth it. Looking back, while a black roof wrap looks stylish, you need to consider light transmission and reflection issues. A very dark shade can create strong glare in sunlight, posing risks to other drivers. With stricter inspection standards now, it's best to complete the registration before applying the wrap.
