Does vehicle body advertising require registration?
2 Answers
Vehicle body advertising requires registration. Applying advertisements or stickers on vehicle bodies is an illegal act. Introduction to relevant laws on vehicle advertising: According to China's 'Technical Specifications for Safety of Power-driven Vehicles Operating on Roads' (GB7258), the exterior of a vehicle should not produce obvious mirror-like reflections. The vehicle body surface should not have mirror-reflective films or mirror-reflective paint applied. The patterns and colors of advertisements or industry logos must not be identical or similar to those of statutory identifiers such as police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, or engineering rescue vehicles. There should be no patterns that affect traffic safety, such as dazzling or reflective designs. Timely registration for modification is required: Patterns that disrupt social stability and public order, harm public interests, or violate social morals are prohibited. Currently, urban management departments no longer review such modifications. Within 10 working days after modification, the vehicle owner must submit relevant documents to the vehicle registration authority for modification registration. The vehicle inspection and registration departments will verify the documents, and if compliant, proceed with the modification registration.
I used to put ads on my car a few times without giving it much thought, but I only realized the need for registration after getting fined. According to traffic regulations, if the advertisement changes the vehicle's color or covers more than 20% of the body, you must apply for registration at the local vehicle management office. Failure to register can result in a fine of 200-500 yuan and even affect the annual inspection. The registration process is simple: bring your ID card and vehicle license, fill out a form, and it usually takes just a day or two. Now I always advise my friends not to cut corners—spending a little time protects your rights and avoids safety hazards. Also, make sure the ad content is legitimate and avoid false advertising, or you’ll face even bigger trouble. Remember, small things carry big principles—registration is a necessary step for our safety.
