How to Change Vehicle Color When Away from Home?

[EloiseRose]

The newly revised "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" by the Ministry of Public Security came into effect on May 1, 2022. If you want to change your vehicle's color while away from home, you no longer need to return to the original registration location. The color change registration can be processed at the local vehicle management office. For small and micro passenger vehicles applying for registration changes due to color alterations, if the vehicle is not in the registered location, the application can be submitted to the vehicle management office where the vehicle is currently located. The local vehicle management office should inspect the vehicle according to regulations, review the submitted proofs and credentials, and electronically transfer the inspection data to the registration location's vehicle management office, which will then review and issue a new driving license as per regulations. Documents required for applying to change the vehicle's body color include: "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form," original and photocopies of the identity proofs of the vehicle owner and agent, original motor vehicle registration certificate (green book), and original motor vehicle driving license. According to Article 6, 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 filed and registered within 10 days after the color change. Precautions for vehicle wrap color changes: Before preparing to change the vehicle wrap color, consult the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to check if the local area permits changing vehicle color using wraps. If the area does not support this method, the registration cannot be processed after the change, and the wrap must be completely removed to restore the vehicle's original color. Additionally, according to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," owners no longer need to apply in advance to the vehicle management office. They can first change the vehicle's color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply for change registration at the vehicle management office. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for change registration at the registration location's vehicle management office under the following circumstances: Change of body color. Replacement of the engine. Replacement of the body or frame. Replacement of the entire vehicle due to quality issues. Change of use nature, such as converting a commercial vehicle to a non-commercial vehicle or vice versa. Change of the vehicle owner's residence in or out of the vehicle management office's jurisdiction. 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 designated 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 exclusive to or similar to those of the aforementioned vehicles. According to Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," if the body color is changed without completing the required change registration, the traffic management department of the public security authority may issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to revert to the original color.