Does roof color change require registration?
2 Answers
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 color change. Precautions for vehicle color change: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult with the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to determine whether the region allows the use of film to change the vehicle color. If the region does not support this method, the registration procedure cannot be processed after the change, and the film must be completely removed to restore the original color of the vehicle. 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 documents of the motor vehicle owner and agent. Original motor vehicle registration certificate. Original motor vehicle 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 under 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 converted to non-commercial use 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 must be painted with specified patterns and equipped with alarms and signal lights as required. Other motor vehicles are prohibited from painting, installing, or using patterns, alarms, or signal lights that are exclusive to or resemble those 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 revert to the original body color.
Regarding the question of whether changing the color of a car roof requires registration in China, it indeed requires registration. According to current traffic regulations, any modification to the exterior color of a vehicle that exceeds 30% of the body surface area must be registered with the local vehicle management office, and the roof, as a prominent area, is usually included. Failure to register is considered illegal modification and can result in fines ranging from 200 to 500 yuan. In severe cases, it may also affect the vehicle's annual inspection and insurance claims. For example, in the event of an accident, the insurance company may refuse to compensate on the grounds of color discrepancy. I have encountered many car owners who tried to save trouble, only to be fined by traffic police and forced to revert to the original color. The registration process is actually not difficult: bring the vehicle registration certificate and ID card to take photos of the original color first, then return to the vehicle management office to submit the application after changing the color, and pay a small fee of a few dozen yuan. It usually takes only a day or two to complete. I recommend everyone not to take risks and follow the proper procedures to avoid future troubles and ensure driving safety.
