Is it illegal to change the rearview mirrors to black on a white car?
3 Answers
Changing the rearview mirrors to black on a white car is not illegal, as altering only the color of the rearview mirrors does not constitute a violation. Relevant regulations: Car modifications must be carried out in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, the vehicle may fail the annual inspection. Therefore, it is advisable for car owners to consult in advance whether the part they intend to modify is illegal before proceeding with the modification. Modification scope: The car's model, engine model, and frame number cannot be altered, and the body structure must not be damaged. Installing windshields, water tanks, toolboxes, spare tire racks, front and rear anti-collision devices, or adding interior decorations to the vehicle requires applying for a modification registration.
I'm the kind of veteran driver who loves researching regulations, and I've specifically looked into this. According to the rules, changing the color of vehicle side mirrors does count as an exterior modification, but black is considered a conventional color and doesn't violate regulations. The key is not to use reflective or warning colors. However, enforcement varies by region - Shanghai is particularly strict about this. The most important thing is that it mustn't affect driving safety, and the mirrors must maintain their reflective functionality. My suggestion is to file an exterior modification record at the DMV - it's a 30-minute procedure that'll save you headaches during annual inspections. As a side note, remember that window tint shouldn't cover more than 30% of the vehicle body, otherwise you'll need to retake the license plate photo.
Last time I replaced the mirror shells on my white car with carbon fiber patterned ones, the cool black ones, and drove for two years without any issues. Actually, the regulations aren't that strict; black mirror shells are common on the road. As long as you don't go overboard with modifications, like adding flashing lights, the traffic police usually don't bother. However, a car wash owner once told me that Beijing strictly enforces modifications with mirror effects because the glare can be distracting and may result in fines. So, choosing matte black is the way to go, and remember to check the size limits. When I did the modification, I made sure to keep the original turn signals for safety, and it passed the annual inspection smoothly.
