Does Interior Modification of a New Car Affect License Plate Registration?

[LaGia]

Interior modification of a new car does affect license plate registration. Before registration, the exterior appearance of the vehicle must match the photos, and the photos must align with the content of the vehicle certification. The required documents for new car registration include: ID card, vehicle certification, triplicate car purchase invoice issued by the 4S dealership, the original and duplicate tax receipts obtained after paying the vehicle purchase tax, insurance policy, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and a temporary residence permit if the owner is not a local resident. Important notes for new car registration: The process must be completed at the vehicle management office. After submitting all required documents and paying the necessary fees, the vehicle must be driven to the office for inspection. Some exempt vehicles only require an external inspection, which typically involves checking the engine number and chassis number. Once the inspection is complete, you can proceed to the office lobby to select a license plate. The role of license plates: License plates serve as a numbering and information registration system for vehicles. Their primary function is to identify the vehicle's region of registration and to trace the owner and registration details of the vehicle based on the plate number.

[Perry]

When I bought my car, friends advised me not to modify the interior for fear it might affect the registration process, but that turned out to be unnecessary worry. Right after picking up my new car, I installed full-coverage floor mats, added a genuine leather steering wheel cover, and a dashboard sunshade. During the inspection, the staff didn’t even open the door to check the interior—they only looked at the exterior and the VIN. However, it’s crucial to avoid altering the original seat layout or removing seatbelt buckles, as such structural modifications could cause issues during registration. I once saw a car owner who had replaced the rear seats with swivel seats and was asked to revert them to the original setup for registration. In summary, soft modifications like window tinting, floor mats, or even replacing the steering wheel with a wood-grain piece are generally fine. Since enforcement policies vary by region, it’s best to call the local DMV for clarification beforehand.