Does Changing Wheel Color Affect Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
As long as the tire size remains unchanged, changing the color of the wheel hubs or replacing them with other wheels is legal. The annual inspection includes the following 4 items: 1. Check the engine, chassis, body, and their accessories: Inspect whether the engine, chassis, body, and their accessories are clean and complete, whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether the main assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records; 2. Test whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, and other safety features meet requirements: Verify whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, exhaust, and other safety features comply with relevant regulations; 3. Check whether the vehicle has been modified and whether approval procedures have been completed: Examine whether the vehicle has undergone modifications, alterations, or transformations, whether the driving license, license plate, and all vehicle registration records match the actual condition of the vehicle, whether there are any changes, and whether approval and modification procedures have been completed; 4. Check for damage to the license plate and driving license: Inspect whether the license plate, driving license, and the enlarged license plate characters printed on the vehicle are damaged, whether the writing is unclear due to alterations, and whether replacement is needed.
I've changed the color of my rims several times using both spray paint and vinyl wrap. While rim color can definitely make a car look unique, whether it passes the annual inspection depends on the details. From my experience, simply changing the color without altering the size or structure—like applying a wrap or spraying a similar shade—usually doesn't affect the inspection. The inspectors mainly check the tire specifications and whether the vehicle's appearance has been modified too much. As long as the color isn't overly flashy or affects the reflective markings on the body, it should be fine. I once asked the technicians at the inspection station, and they said minor color adjustments don't count as major modifications. They recommended sticking to common colors like black, gray, or silver and avoiding bright or fluorescent shades. Before making any changes, it's best to check the local DMV website to ensure compliance and avoid wasted effort.
