Is it illegal to change the color film of my car by myself?
2 Answers
Is changing the color film illegal? Applying car wraps is a way to showcase personalization, but it depends on the specific situation. First, when changing the color of your beloved car, you need to pay attention to the following issues: 1. The color of the car wrap should not exceed three colors in total. 2. Any materials that are electroplated or reflective and may affect other drivers cannot be used to change the vehicle registration certificate at the DMV. 3. Generally, there is no impact if the area of partial wrapping does not exceed 30% of the entire vehicle's surface. If the color change area exceeds 30%, you need to update the vehicle registration certificate at the DMV. 4. Vehicles with wraps are not allowed to install any other modifications beyond the original car parts.
When it comes to changing the color of your car with a wrap, I think it's important to first understand the legal boundaries. National regulations state that if you change more than 30% of your car's color, you must register the change at the vehicle management office. As long as you bring your ID card, vehicle license, and green book to complete the procedure within ten days, it's legal. If you secretly change the color without reporting it and get caught by traffic police on the road, you'll be fined 200 yuan and required to remove the wrap on the spot to restore the original appearance. I've seen some car owners use camouflage or police car blue-and-white color schemes, which are directly illegal. I recommend checking local policies before changing the color—some cities also have restrictions on pearlescent or color-shifting films. Additionally, always choose reputable brand films with electronic warranties, and don't cheap out on unverified products, as removing them can leave adhesive residue and damage the paint, causing even more trouble.
