Does changing the color of the roof exceed 30%?

[MacMatthew]

Changing the color of the roof may or may not exceed 30% of the vehicle's body area. 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%, there is no need to register the change. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, it must be recorded, and the change must be registered within 10 days after the vehicle's color is altered. Precautions 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 determine whether the region permits color changes using wraps. If the region does not support this method, the wrap must be completely removed to restore the vehicle's original color, as no registration can be processed otherwise. Documents required for applying to change the body color of a motor vehicle: 'Motor Vehicle Modification Registration Application Form.' Proof of identity of the vehicle owner and agent. Motor vehicle registration certificate. Motor vehicle driving license. Additionally, according to the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations,' owners are no longer required to apply to the vehicle management office in advance. They can first change the vehicle's color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply for modification registration with the vehicle management office. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for modification 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. Change of the vehicle owner's residence 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 display designated patterns and install alarms and warning lights as required. Other motor vehicles are prohibited from using similar patterns, alarms, or warning lights. According to Article 56 of the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations,' if the body color is changed without following the proper modification registration procedures, the traffic management department of the public security authority may issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to revert to its original color. Important notes: Vehicle inspection can only be conducted three working days after the modification: Some people rush to apply for a color change before an inspection, hoping to complete the process quickly. However, the vehicle management office's system requires three working days to complete the data and information filing for the color change application. Therefore, the vehicle can only undergo a normal annual inspection at least three working days after the modification is recorded. If only a small part of the roof is repainted and the change does not exceed one-third of the vehicle's body area, there is no need to apply for a color change registration. If it exceeds one-third, the owner must apply for a color change registration at the vehicle management office; otherwise, the vehicle will not pass the inspection.

[StJack]

Actually, changing the color of the car roof generally doesn’t exceed 30%. From my research on automotive regulations, this threshold applies to 30% of the vehicle's total exterior surface area. The roof typically only accounts for 5% to 10% of the car’s body—for example, a sedan’s roof is at most 2-3 square meters, while the entire car’s surface area is at least 15 square meters, making the proportion quite small. The 30% rule comes from traffic regulations, aiming to require registration with the DMV if color modifications are too extensive, avoiding trouble with traffic police. If you modify the roof along with smaller areas like door handles or the hood, the total might only reach around 15%, still far below 30%. However, note that different car models vary—SUV roofs are slightly larger but still around 10%. I usually advise car owners to do a quick check: measure the roof’s length and width, calculate its area, and divide it by the car’s total surface area. In 90% of cases, it won’t exceed the limit. If unsure, taking the time to register is the safest bet—better than risking fines for illegal modifications. This also reminds us that car modifications require some basic knowledge of the rules, and safe driving should always come first.