Is Filing Required for Motorcycle Color Change?
3 Answers
Whether filing is required depends on Article 6 of Chapter 2 of the Road Traffic Safety Law. If the color change area does not exceed 30%, no modification registration is needed. Otherwise, filing is required, and registration must be completed within 10 days after the vehicle color change. According to Article 6 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, the following documents must be submitted when applying to change the body color of a motor vehicle: the Motor Vehicle Modification Registration Application Form; original and photocopies of the identity documents of the vehicle owner and agent; original Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate; original Motor Vehicle License; and payment of any fines before changing the vehicle color. Precautions for Vehicle Color Change: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the local vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to determine whether the region permits the use of wraps to change the vehicle color. If the region does not support this method, filing procedures cannot be processed after the color change, and the wrap must be completely removed to restore the vehicle's original color. Additionally, according to Article 10 of the Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations, owners are no longer required to apply to the vehicle management office in advance. They can first change the vehicle color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply for modification registration with the vehicle management office. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for modification registration with the local vehicle management office in the following cases: 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 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 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 that are exclusive to or similar to those of the aforementioned vehicles.
As a seasoned motorcyclist with over a decade of riding experience, I've gone through several color changes, each requiring a trip to the DMV for registration. Last month, I had my bike painted a bright blue and immediately visited the registration center. You need to bring your ID card, vehicle license, and motor vehicle registration certificate, take photos on-site, and update the documents—that's it. Skipping the registration is not an option—traffic police can fine you hundreds of yuan and even deduct points, affecting your driver's license. Most importantly, it prevents potential insurance claim issues, such as being denied compensation in case of an accident. The whole process takes just half a day, ensuring safety and compliance. I strongly advise against cutting corners—getting pulled over without proper registration would be a costly mistake.
I'm an office worker who commutes by motorcycle daily, and I did a lot of research before repainting. Yes, registration is definitely required—it's a national regulation. The risks of not doing it are too high: traffic police can issue fines ranging from 200 to 500 RMB, and it may also lead to legal disputes affecting insurance. The registration process is quite simple: first, book an appointment online with the vehicle management office, bring the original vehicle documents and ID, and the staff will verify the color change before updating the vehicle license. The whole process takes just an hour or two. I always prioritize compliance because violations aren’t just about money—they can also impact personal records. In short, to ride with peace of mind, registration is the first step—don’t overlook it.
