How many points are deducted for altering a vehicle's appearance?
2 Answers
Only a fine is imposed without point deduction. Modifications to a vehicle, whether interior or exterior, must be approved by the traffic management department. Unauthorized modifications without filing will result in a fine but no point deduction. Vehicle color changes: Modifications such as changing the vehicle's color, engine, fuel type, or chassis number are permitted. However, three colors are reserved for special vehicles and cannot be used: red for firefighting, yellow for engineering rescue, and white over blue for national administrative law enforcement. Prohibited modifications: Widening tires, modifying the intake system, or exhaust system are not allowed. According to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" issued by the Ministry of Public Security, altering tire specifications, intake systems, or exhaust systems of in-use vehicles are not permitted modifications.
I remember I used to have a compact car and always thought its appearance was too plain, so I secretly installed a cool spoiler on it. But once on the highway, I got pulled over by traffic police for inspection. The officer sternly told me that such unauthorized exterior modifications are considered illegal vehicle alterations. I was immediately deducted 6 points from my license and fined 500 yuan. They explained that excessive exterior modifications can easily affect other drivers' judgment—for example, darker body colors might be hard to see at night, increasing accident risks. Since then, I've learned my lesson. Now, if I want to modify anything, I always go to the vehicle management office first to file for approval. Even changing the car color requires going through the official process, which takes a day or two to complete the inspection report. I'd advise you not to take risks either—too many penalty points can affect your license score. If you accumulate 12 points, you'll have to retake the theoretical exam. It's best to check your car's exterior before driving to ensure nothing has been altered.
