How to Complete the Vehicle Color Change Procedure at the DMV?
4 Answers
Processing a color change requires few materials. If a friend handles it on your behalf, their ID must also be brought along. The procedure is the same as the annual inspection: stamping the chassis number, taking photos. Vehicles with exterior modifications that fail inspection must be restored to factory condition beforehand. The process takes about 20 minutes. The service hall provides a color change application form. After completing it, submit it to the processing window to await approval and receive a new vehicle license. Under normal circumstances, the new vehicle license can be processed successfully in about half an hour, with only a handling fee required. The entire procedure is then completed.
I previously changed my car's color from white to red on an old sedan, and the whole process went smoothly at the local DMV. First, I took it to a professional auto paint shop for a thorough color change, which took three days to ensure no color mismatch. After the paint fully dried, I gathered my documents: personal ID, the original vehicle registration certificate, and the driving license—don’t forget these! Then, I headed straight to the DMV, filled out a modification application form with details like the color code and vehicle info, double-checking everything. The staff inspected the car on-site to confirm the new color complied with regulations and took new photos. Finally, I got a new driving license and paid a small fee of a few dozen yuan. Remember to book an appointment online in advance to avoid long queues. After the update, my car felt brand new and turned more heads on the road—just avoid police-like colors to dodge unnecessary trouble.
If you're planning to change your vehicle's color, I recommend following these steps in order. First, get the paint job done at a qualified shop to ensure stable quality. Second, prepare the necessary documents: ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and driving license—none can be missing. Third, submit the color change application at the vehicle management office, filling out the form in detail, including a description of the color change and confirmation that it doesn’t involve any infringement. Fourth is the inspection phase, where they’ll verify the actual color matches the records to ensure compliance with regulations—avoid military or police color schemes. Fifth involves taking new photos and updating the documents, with the driving license replacement done on-site; be sure to pay the fee promptly, which is around a few dozen yuan. Throughout the process, adhere to safety regulations, and after the change, regularly check if parts like lights are affected.
Changing the car color is pretty straightforward. I just did it recently. After the paint job, bring your ID and vehicle registration to the DMV. Fill out a simple form, get the car inspected to confirm the new color is legit, take a new photo, and get the updated registration. Make sure you have all the documents ready to avoid delays. It doesn't take much time. After it's done, take a quick drive to ensure nothing else is affected.
