Can out-of-town vehicles apply for color change locally?
2 Answers
Out-of-town vehicles can apply for color change registration locally. According to Article 56 of the newly revised "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" by the Ministry of Public Security: small and micro passenger vehicles that apply for registration changes due to color changes can submit the application to the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is located, even if the vehicle is not registered there. The local vehicle management office should inspect the motor vehicle according to regulations, review the submitted proofs and credentials, and transfer the electronic inspection data to the registration office, which will review and issue the new driving license accordingly. The following documents are required for applying for a color change: "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form"; identity proofs and copies of the vehicle owner and agent; motor vehicle registration certificate (green book); motor vehicle driving license; and clearance of all previous fines. 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%, no change registration is required. Otherwise, if it exceeds 30%, the change must be registered within 10 days after the color change. Notes for vehicle color change: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to see if the region allows color changes. If the region does not support this, the change cannot be registered, and the original color must be restored. Additionally, according to Article 10 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", vehicle owners no longer need 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 change registration. The following situations require the vehicle owner to apply for change registration: Change of body color. Replacement of the engine. Replacement of the body or frame. Replacement of the entire vehicle due to quality issues. Change from commercial to non-commercial use or vice versa. Change of the vehicle owner's residence in 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 specific patterns and equipped with alarms and signal lights as required. Other motor vehicles are not allowed to use similar patterns, alarms, or signal lights.
I've actually looked into the question of whether out-of-town vehicles can get color changes locally. From what I understand, according to current regulations, vehicle color modification falls under registration alteration procedures and should generally be processed at the vehicle registration location's DMV. However, many cities now offer cross-region services - like when I accompanied a friend in Hangzhou to file color modification for a Shandong-licensed car. You just need to bring the vehicle license, ID card, registration certificate, and photos of the repainted vehicle. But it's important to call the local DMV in advance for consultation, as implementation policies may vary between regions. Some areas might require temporary residence permits or proof of residency, which out-of-town owners should pay special attention to. If confirmed possible, the entire process takes about half a day to complete.
