Is it illegal to change the color of a car emblem?
2 Answers
Unauthorized modification of a vehicle's emblem is considered illegal, as the emblem is a legally non-modifiable item. Violators may face penalties from traffic police, be required to restore the original state, and in severe cases, may be subject to hefty fines. Relevant regulations are as follows: 1. According to Chapter 5, Article 32 of the 'Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles of the People's Republic of China': For registered motor vehicles, except for the registration items that are allowed to be changed as stipulated in these regulations, other registration items shall not be altered. 2. According to Article 69 of the 'Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles of the People's Republic of China': Apart from the six circumstances under which vehicle markings can be altered as stipulated in the 'Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles of the People's Republic of China', unauthorized alteration, replacement, or modification of non-modifiable items will result in the retention of the motor vehicle license plate and the 'Motor Vehicle Driving License' in accordance with Article 69 of the 'Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles of the People's Republic of China', an order to restore the original state, and a fine of 1,000 yuan.
I've seen many people wanting to change their car emblem colors for personalization, but this is something you shouldn't mess around with. In China, the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" clearly state that unauthorized modifications to a vehicle's appearance, including emblem color changes, are considered illegal. If caught by traffic police, you could face on-the-spot warnings or fines, and serious cases may even affect your annual inspection. Back when I first started driving, a buddy of mine painted his emblem blue and got stuck during the annual inspection, ending up spending even more to restore it. For friends considering modifications, I suggest first checking with the DMV about the filing process—don't risk major consequences for minor gains. The modification market might seem casual, but rules must be followed; safe driving is the real priority. If you really can't resist, consider changing your license plate frame instead—it's much lower risk.
