Is it illegal to apply reflective stickers on cars?
2 Answers
Chinese regulations only require trucks to apply reflective strips to enhance safety during nighttime driving. There are no explicit rules for private cars—applying them is optional. However, if applied, they must be installed according to requirements; otherwise, drivers may face penalties if discovered by traffic police. The vehicle's exterior must meet the following requirements: 1. Components such as bumpers, rearview mirrors, and lower mirrors should be intact. 2. Windshield glass must be complete, with no cracks or damage in the driver's line of sight, and no mirrored reflective sunshade film should be applied to any windshield. 3. The vehicle body should be symmetrical, with height differences between left and right symmetrical parts complying with GB7258 standards. 4. The exterior should not exhibit obvious mirrored reflections, nor should it have any components or protrusions that could endanger pedestrians, cyclists, or other traffic participants, including sharp edges or corners. 5. The body (or cabin) and its paint should not show significant rust or damage. 6. Sprayed or pasted logos or advertisements on the body should not affect safe driving.
Seeing everyone discussing the issue of car reflective stickers, as a veteran driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, let me share some experience. The key lies in the placement and area of the stickers. Regulations stipulate that body decorations cannot exceed 30% of the total area, and reflective stickers fall under decorations and must comply. A friend at the vehicle management office told me the most common violations are stickers on windows obstructing visibility or around license plates interfering with identification. Last week on the highway, I witnessed traffic police stopping a car covered entirely in reflective strips because the strong glare was blinding drivers behind. It's recommended to only apply stickers below the bumper or along the edges of the car, using matte-finish standard reflective strips. For safety, it's best to register them with the vehicle management office to avoid being asked to remove them on the spot during annual inspections and getting fined.
