Does Full Vehicle Wrap Affect Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
Full vehicle wrap affects the annual inspection. The standard for vehicle inspection is primarily based on safety. If the wrap does not obstruct the driver's vision or cause blurred vision for other drivers, there will be no issues. Otherwise, it may result in the annual inspection not being passed. Annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for every vehicle that has obtained an official license plate and registration certificate, equivalent to an annual health check for the vehicle based on the safety technical conditions for motor vehicle operation. Vehicle annual inspections help promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage better vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents. The annual inspection of motor vehicles is divided into the initial inspection and regular inspections.
My previous car had a full-body wrap, and before the annual inspection, I made a special trip to the DMV to inquire about the policy. The staff told me that wraps fall under the category of vehicle color modification. If the wrap covers more than 30% of the vehicle's surface, it must be registered within 10 days. I remember my neighbor’s car had a fluorescent green wrap that wasn’t registered, and it got held up during the annual inspection—he had to pay to remove the wrap and re-inspect. It really depends on the area covered by the wrap and the degree of color change. For dark window tints, you also need to consider whether the light transmittance meets the standard—national regulations require at least 70% for the front windshield. My advice is to take photos before applying the wrap, avoid reflective or patterned films, and hire an experienced professional for the job. If possible, it’s safest to visit the DMV beforehand to register the modification, so you don’t have to redo everything later and waste time.
