Is it necessary to complete a change registration for altering the vehicle body color?
3 Answers
Changing the color of the vehicle body requires registration. However, vehicle modifications are subject to certain restrictions, and arbitrary modifications may not pass the annual inspection. Therefore, vehicle modifications must be carried out in compliance with relevant regulations. Required documents: Original copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change Registration/Record Application Form", original and one copy of the identity proof of the motor vehicle owner, original motor vehicle registration certificate, original motor vehicle license, etc. Change registration is required for: altering the body color, replacing the engine, replacing the body or frame, replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues, changing the use nature from commercial to non-commercial or vice versa, or when the motor vehicle owner's residence moves out of or into the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, among other situations. To change the appearance of the vehicle, an application must be submitted to the vehicle management department, and the vehicle license must be updated promptly. Only then can the modified vehicle be legally driven. Currently, there are generally two types of vehicle modifications in China: one involves specialized vehicle modification manufacturers using nationally certified engines, chassis, or assemblies to redesign and modify vehicles that differ from the original models; the other involves already licensed vehicles undergoing some technical modifications based on the original assemblies for specific purposes.
Last time before changing my car's color, I specifically consulted a friend at the DMV. Turns out these procedures really can't be skipped. If the vehicle's color change exceeds 30% or involves special reflective materials, you must file the modification at the DMV within 10 days. Remember to bring your ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and driving license. After the color change, first go to the inspection station for vehicle examination and photos. The modification only becomes legal after you receive the new driving license. If you're applying color-changing film, extra caution is needed - the workshop must meet national standard GB/T 36918-2018, and you'll need to provide an electronic warranty card when filing. Honestly, spending a few hundred yuan on procedures for legal road use is much better than getting caught by traffic police, which could mean penalty points and a 500 yuan fine. Nowadays some cities even allow appointment booking through the 12123 app, saving you from long queues.
Since you've chosen such a dazzling matte gray, the registration procedures must follow. Here's the specific process: Within one week after the modification, first make a phone appointment with the DMV. Remember to bring the vehicle registration certificate, the owner's original ID card, and the compulsory traffic insurance policy. During the inspection, they will verify the body color code. For special colors, remember to ask the modification shop to provide a color certificate. The most easily overlooked part is wheel color changes—if they differ too much from the photos on the vehicle license, you may be required to restore them. The registration fee varies by location. Last year in Hangzhou, I paid a 115 yuan processing fee and received the new certificate on the same day. Here's a little-known fact: wedding decals covering more than one-third of the body also count as color modifications.
