Can I Apply for a Color Change Without the Green Book?
2 Answers
It is not possible to register a color change for a vehicle without the green book. According to Article 6 of Chapter 2 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," if the color change area of a motor vehicle does not exceed 30%, there is no need to register the change. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, the change must be filed and registered within 10 days after the vehicle's color has been altered. Notes on Vehicle Color Change: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to determine whether the local area permits the use of film to change the vehicle's color. If the area does not support this method, the filing procedure cannot be completed after the modification, and the film must be completely removed to restore the vehicle's original color. Documents required for applying to change the body color of a motor vehicle: "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form." ID cards and copies of the motor vehicle owner and agent. Motor vehicle registration certificate. Motor vehicle driving license. Standard photos of the motor vehicle applying for the change registration. For company vehicles, the following additional documents are required: the company's renamed official seal, the new organization code certificate, and the business change information certificate issued by the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau (Industrial and Commercial Bureau). Additionally, according to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," owners are no longer required to apply to the vehicle management office in advance. They can first change the vehicle's color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply to the vehicle management office for change registration. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for change registration under the following circumstances: Change of body color. Replacement of the engine. Replacement of the body or frame. Replacement of the entire vehicle due to quality issues. Change of use, such as converting a commercial vehicle to a non-commercial vehicle or vice versa. Change of the motor vehicle owner's residence to or from the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office. Furthermore, according to Article 15 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles must be painted with designated patterns and equipped with alarms and signal lights as required. Other motor vehicles are prohibited from painting, installing, or using patterns, alarms, or signal lights that are exclusive to or similar to those of the aforementioned vehicles. According to Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," if the body color is changed without following the proper change registration procedure, the public security traffic management department may issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to revert to its original color.
Oh, this is a pretty common issue, and I've encountered a similar situation myself. Applying for a vehicle color change without the green book (vehicle registration certificate) is basically impossible because the green book serves as the official registration proof of the vehicle, used to verify the owner's identity and ownership. The DMV requires the original green book to process a color change registration; otherwise, the system can't update the data. A few years ago, I tried to change my car's color but forgot to bring the green book and had to make a wasted trip. The staff also reminded me that the registration must be completed within seven days after the color change, or there's a risk of fines. If you've lost your green book, don't panic—just go to the local vehicle management office to apply for a replacement. Bring the owner's ID card, invoice, and other necessary documents, and it usually takes about a week to get it sorted. Before making any modifications, it's best to consult a professional to ensure everything is legal so you can drive with peace of mind. Once the color change is done and the vehicle information is updated, you won't have any issues with reselling or annual inspections.
