
Decals on the exterior of a car generally do not require registration, but large-scale body advertisements do. Car decals, an earlier colloquial term now referred to as car stickers, originated from motorsports. Precautions for Car Decals: The ideal working environment for applying decals is between 15°C and 30°C. High temperatures can cause the film to expand and the wet solution to evaporate quickly, while low temperatures can affect the flexibility of the film, thereby impacting adhesion. Thoroughly clean the car's surface with water and a neutral cleaner. To ensure proper application of the decal, the car's surface must be free of dust, wax, and other contaminants. Car decals consist of three layers: the backing paper (white glassine paper), the PVC decal itself, and the transfer film with protective film (transparent). The top protective film should be removed only after the final application. During the process, avoid pulling the decal forcefully to prevent stretching and deformation. Points to Note for Vehicle Modifications: First, technical parameters such as the car's displacement must never be modified privately. For example, some people exploit loopholes by purchasing new cars with smaller displacements that have lower purchase taxes and then privately upgrade the displacement significantly. This is not only a serious legal violation but also poses significant safety hazards. Second, widening tires, modifying the intake system, or exhaust system is also prohibited. These modifications can alter the vehicle's performance and severely affect driving safety. If discovered, fines will be imposed, and the vehicle must be restored to its original condition. Third, for non-professional off-road competition vehicles, modifications that enhance off-road performance, such as raising the chassis, are not allowed.

I just researched this a couple of days ago after applying new decals to my car. Simply put, whether car decals/wraps need registration depends on the coverage area and content. If it's just small decorative elements like a door graphic that don't alter the vehicle's primary color, registration usually isn't required. However, if the coverage exceeds 30% of the body surface, completely changes the color, or contains advertising content, you must file with the DMV. Last time I helped a friend apply a full-body color wrap, we exceeded the color limit and almost got pulled over by traffic police - we had to go through the registration process afterward to avoid trouble. Remember, driving without proper registration may result in penalty points, fines, or failed inspections. I recommend measuring the coverage ratio beforehand and consulting professional shops or local DMV if unsure - safety first.

From my experience, you really can't take the registration of car decals lightly. I often modify my car, and recently, even though the cartoon decals I applied were small, their colors were too eye-catching, changing the overall body color by about 40%. I was later reminded to register them. The registration process is actually quite simple: first, take a photo of your car at a photo studio, then go to the vehicle management office with your vehicle license to apply for the change. If you don't do this, if the traffic police catch you, not only will you face a fine of a few hundred yuan, but it could also affect your insurance. I've seen a friend who didn't register their decals and ended up having their insurance claim denied after an accident, resulting in significant losses. So don't be lazy or try to cut corners, especially with large decals or advertising ones—they definitely need to be registered. It's fine to play around with car decals, but you need to know the rules to avoid trouble.

Do car decals need to be registered? As someone who has driven for many years, let me share the key points. Small-scale decals that don't affect the overall appearance of the vehicle don't require registration. However, if over 30% of the surface area changes color or includes advertisements, you'll need to go through the process at the vehicle management office. The risks of not registering are significant: you could face fines of 200-500 yuan, points deducted from your license, or even be ordered to restore the vehicle to its original condition. My advice is to check the proportion before applying decals and avoid using easily fading or overly flashy materials. Keeping it simple will save you a lot of trouble.


