···
Log in / Register

Do Car Decals Need to Be Registered?

4 Answers
RyleeFitz
07/30/25 12:39am

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.

Was this review help?
15
3
Share
VanEmersyn
08/15/25 5:39am

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.

Was this review help?
1
5
Share
Expand All
VanSpencer
10/20/25 2:29am

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.

Was this review help?
15
1
Share
Expand All
SophiaAnn
12/03/25 3:02am

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.

Was this review help?
13
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What maintenance items are required at 45,000 kilometers?

Here is a detailed introduction to the maintenance items at 45,000 kilometers: 1. Replace the air filter: After the car has traveled 30,000 kilometers, the air filter will accumulate a significant amount of dust and oil stains. Moreover, the performance of the air filter will be greatly affected at this mileage. Therefore, it is advisable to replace it to ensure optimal performance. 2. Replace the cabin air filter: The cabin air filter contains activated carbon, which can adsorb fine particles. However, the activated carbon gradually diminishes over time and with usage frequency. A dirty cabin air filter can lead to reduced cooling efficiency and unpleasant odors. 3. Clean the throttle body: The responsiveness of the car's acceleration is closely related to the cleanliness of the throttle body. During the operation of an electronic fuel injection engine, a small portion of the combustion byproducts in the cylinders can form carbon deposits at the throttle body through the intake valves and intake pipes. Over time, these deposits accumulate and form dirt, increasing the resistance of the throttle body's operation and causing issues such as unstable engine idling. Hence, regular cleaning of the throttle body is necessary. 4. Replace the coolant: Generally, it is recommended to replace the coolant every 20,000 kilometers or once a year. This helps to raise the boiling point, prevent scale and rust formation, enhance cooling efficiency, lubricate the water pump, and avoid or eliminate engine damage caused by instant high temperatures due to air bubbles.
20
0
Share

What to Do When the Car Windows Fog Up? Which Button to Press?

Warm air can achieve the defogging effect, but it has a drawback: it works slowly. It is recommended to pull over first. There is usually a rear window defogger switch on the dashboard. Turn on the switch, and the heating wires on the rear window will heat the glass, thereby achieving the defogging effect.
4
3
Share

What are the new driving test regulations and policies in 2021?

2021 new policies are as follows: 1. Exam subject adjustment: The "hill start" item has been removed from the Category 2 test for small automatic transmission vehicles. 2. Exam scheduling adjustment: For obtaining a small automatic transmission vehicle driver's license, the waiting period between passing Category 1 and scheduling Category 3 has been shortened from 30 days to 20 days; for upgrading to medium/large passenger or truck licenses, this interval has been reduced from 40 days to 30 days. 3. Cross-region subject exam attempts adjustment: Applicants for small vehicle licenses can now request test location changes up to 3 times (previously 1). 4. Improved proxy services: Seniors can use relatives' "Traffic Management 12123" app accounts for vehicle/driver license services, with dedicated senior service windows offering free proxy services. 5. Streamlined military veteran license conversion: Establishing verification mechanisms with military authorities to enable automatic credential checks, eliminating redundant verification for veterans' employment and driving needs. 6. Overseas license renewal extension: Those unable to return due to COVID-19 may delegate license renewal/verification procedures, with a 6-month grace period post-return to reinstate canceled licenses. 7. Reduced proxy documentation: Applicants can authorize others via the 12123 app for license replacement services without paper authorization forms.
11
3
Share

Didi Driver Age Requirements?

Male age requirement is 22-60 years old, female age requirement is 22-50 years old, calculated by natural month. 1. Didi Express vehicle entry requirements: (1) Basic conditions: 5-7 seat cars in good condition. (1) Vehicle owner: The driven vehicle must be the registered vehicle, either self-owned or with the owner's permission. (1) Others: Refer to the entry requirements of the city, such as: license plate, price, wheelbase and other restrictions. 2. Starting with Express: For drivers, all drivers start with Express at the beginning. After completing a certain number of orders and the vehicle model meets the requirements of Premier, they can be upgraded to Premier. 3. Insurance as required by the state: Owners applying to join the platform's Express need to insure compulsory traffic insurance as required by the state, and Premier also needs to insure commercial insurance as required by the platform in terms of types and amounts. Didi provides an additional comprehensive accident insurance with a maximum single coverage of 1.2 million RMB for platform Express users, including Didi drivers and all passengers. 4. Service capability: According to the "Interim Measures for the Management of Online Car-hailing Business Services", owners applying to engage in online car-hailing business should have online and offline service capabilities. Among them, the owner's online service capability is recognized once by the relevant provincial departments where the enterprise is registered, and is valid nationwide.
8
1
Share

Do I still need to handle traffic violations if the car is no longer in use?

Traffic violations need to be handled even if the car is no longer in use. After a violation, demerit points are recorded on the driver's license. Even if you abandon the car and do not handle the violations, the traffic police have the authority to impose administrative compulsory penalties, including detaining the vehicle owner, forcibly confiscating and auctioning the vehicle to offset fines, and revoking the driver's license. The following are the consequences of not handling traffic violations: 1. Late fees penalty: If you are stopped by traffic police on the spot and issued a fine ticket with your vehicle and driver's license, and you fail to handle it within 15 days, late fees will be imposed without additional demerit points. The late fee is 3% per day, with a maximum not exceeding the original fine amount. 2. License and vehicle seizure: If you have more than three unhandled violations and are caught driving by traffic police, your driver's license will be suspended, and in severe cases, your vehicle may be impounded. If you have more than 10 unhandled traffic violations, the traffic management department of the public security authority can legally impound your vehicle. 3. Inability to pass vehicle inspection: If violations are not handled, the vehicle will not pass annual, quarterly, or comprehensive inspections. If violations are not resolved before the inspection, the vehicle will fail the inspection. The inspection date is usually marked on the vehicle registration certificate, and inspections can generally be conducted up to three months in advance.
5
2
Share

What to Do When Water Enters the Car?

When the car is flooded, do not attempt to start it, as this can easily cause damage to electronic components due to power supply. After the car is flooded, shift the gear to neutral. This way, when towing, there's no need to start the car, preventing damage during startup. After the car is flooded, promptly notify a towing company to come and tow the vehicle. Avoid leaving the car submerged in water for extended periods, which can lead to the failure of car parts and render them unusable. After the car is flooded, remove all items from inside the car to prevent damage or loss due to water exposure, especially valuable items or car accessories.
19
4
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.