Does changing the color of a car roof require registration?

[MelanieLee]

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. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, it must be registered and filed, and the registration should be completed within 10 days after the vehicle's color is changed. Precautions for vehicle color change: Before preparing to change the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to see if the region allows motor vehicles to change their color. If the region does not support this method, the registration procedure cannot be processed after the change, and the vehicle can only be restored to its original color. Documents required for applying to change the body color of a motor vehicle: "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form". Original and photocopy of the identity certificates of the motor vehicle owner and agent. Motor vehicle registration certificate. Motor vehicle driving license. Additionally, according to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", owners are allowed to change the vehicle color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., before applying for change registration with the vehicle management office. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for change registration with the local vehicle management office in the following circumstances: Change of body color. Replacement of the engine. Replacement of the body or frame. Whole vehicle replacement due to quality issues. Change of use nature, such as commercial vehicles changed to non-commercial or vice versa. The motor vehicle owner's residence moves out of or into 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 should be painted with specified patterns and equipped with alarms and indicator lights as required. Other motor vehicles are not allowed to paint, install, or use the exclusive or similar patterns, alarms, or indicator lights of the aforementioned vehicles. Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" states that if the body color is changed without completing the required change registration, the public security traffic management department will issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to be restored to its original color.

[McJuliet]

I remember last time my friend had his car roof wrapped in black film and got pulled over by traffic police, resulting in points deducted and a fine. According to regulations, any vehicle color change exceeding 30% requires filing with the DMV. Although the roof only accounts for a small portion, strictly speaking, it still counts as a modification. The filing process isn't complicated—just bring your ID card, vehicle license, registration certificate, and drive the car to the DMV for new photos and license replacement. The cost is only a few dozen yuan, but the key is avoiding fines. Some places might be lax and let it slide, but in case of an accident or annual inspection, if the color doesn't match the registration, even insurance companies can deny claims. Trying to save trouble might lead to bigger hassles, so it's better to just file properly.

[MacPeyton]

I asked a friend at the vehicle management office about whether changing the roof color requires registration. He said it mainly depends on the proportion of the roof area. For most sedans, if the roof area is less than 30%, registration is usually not mandatory in most cities. However, enforcement standards vary by location. Strict cities like Beijing and Shanghai may fine you 200 yuan even for a simple black roof wrap. I recommend car owners first take photos and confirm with the local traffic police's official account to avoid unnecessary trips. The registration process is straightforward: make an appointment in advance, bring your documents and car for re-stamping the VIN, taking new photos, and obtaining an updated vehicle license. If you hire a modification shop to handle it, they typically charge 300-500 yuan as a service fee, but doing it yourself can be completed in a day. Don't find it troublesome—legal modifications save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

[KevinMarie]

From a legal perspective, traffic regulations explicitly require registration for any changes to vehicle body color. The roof, being part of the vehicle body, qualifies as a modification whether painted or wrapped. Even altering just the roof, if the area is less than 30%, may still be deemed non-compliant. The revised regulations last year intensified oversight on modifications, with unregistered vehicles potentially facing impoundment and fines up to 500 yuan. In practice, registration requires bringing the vehicle's green book and the owner's ID card for on-site color verification before obtaining a new vehicle license. Some cities also require submission of modification shop qualification certificates. Rather than living in fear, it's better to spend half an hour at the DMV to get it done properly.