Can I still change the vehicle color if it's been over a month?
2 Answers
It is not allowed to change the vehicle color after more than one month, and a fine will be imposed. According to Article 6, Chapter 2 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," if the color change area of a motor vehicle does not exceed 30%, no registration for the change is required. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, it must be filed and registered within 10 days after the color change. Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" states that if the vehicle color is changed without completing the required registration, the traffic management department of the public security authority may issue a warning or impose a fine of 200 yuan. The vehicle may also be impounded, and the owner may be ordered to restore the original color. To apply for a change in the vehicle's body color, the following documents must be submitted in accordance with the "Road Traffic Safety Law": the "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form," identity proofs and copies of the vehicle owner and agent, the motor vehicle registration certificate, the motor vehicle driving license, and payment of all outstanding fines. Precautions for changing vehicle color: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to confirm whether the region allows color changes using wraps. If the region does not permit this method, the change cannot be registered, and the wrap must be removed to restore the original color. Additionally, according to Article 10 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," owners are no longer required to apply in advance to the vehicle management office. They can first change the vehicle color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply for a change registration with the vehicle management office. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for a 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. The vehicle owner's residence moves into or out of 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 using similar patterns, alarms, or signal lights specific to these vehicles.
I just went to complete the color change modification last month, and it's actually possible to do it even after more than a month. I remember that I only found time to go to the DMV one and a half months after the color change, and the staff processed it directly without any fines. However, they reminded me that it's safest to complete the procedure within 10 days after the color change. In theory, you might be penalized if it exceeds 30 days, but in practice, most DMVs are accommodating. The key is to bring all the required materials: ID card, vehicle license, registration certificate, as well as vehicle photos and the color change invoice. The car body must not have any damage or scratches, otherwise, you'll need to repair it first before taking photos for filing. That day, I also met a guy whose electroplated purple color was rejected because it was too flashy, and they suggested that ordinary colors are more likely to be approved.
