What are the penalties for color-changing films?
3 Answers
If the color change is not registered, a fine of 200 yuan will be imposed without any deduction of points. Article 56 of the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles" stipulates that if the color of the vehicle body is changed without going through the change registration as required, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to revert to its original color. The following documents are required to apply for a change in the color of a motor vehicle: the "Application Form for Change of Registration of Motor Vehicles". The identity certificates and copies of the motor vehicle owner and the agent. The motor vehicle registration certificate. The motor vehicle driving license and payment of all previous fines. According to Article 6 of Chapter 2 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law", if the color change area of a motor vehicle does not exceed 30%, no change registration is required. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, it must be registered and filed within 10 days after the color change. Precautions for vehicle color change: Before changing the color of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consult the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered to determine whether the region allows the color change of motor vehicles. If the region does not support this method, the registration procedure cannot be processed after the change, and the vehicle can only be restored to its original color. In addition, according to Article 10 of the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles", vehicle owners are no longer required to apply to the vehicle management office in advance. They can first change the vehicle color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply to the vehicle management office for change registration. Furthermore, registered motor vehicles must apply for change registration under the following circumstances: Change of body color. Replacement of the engine. Replacement of the body or frame. Replacement of the entire vehicle due to quality issues. Change of use nature, such as commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial or vice versa. The domicile of the motor vehicle owner moves out of or into the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office. Additionally, according to Article 15 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles shall be painted with emblem patterns and equipped with alarms and signal lights as required. Other motor vehicles shall not be painted, equipped, or use the emblem patterns, alarms, or signal lights dedicated to the aforementioned vehicles or similar to them.
A friend of mine had his car wrapped in a different color last year but forgot to register the modification. He was caught by traffic police, fined 300 yuan, deducted 3 points, and was required to remove the wrap and restore the original color on the spot. This kind of penalty is quite common. Changing the car's color with a wrap without registering it with the vehicle management office is considered illegal modification. Fines usually range from 200 to 500 yuan, and the penalty is typically around 3 points. What's more troublesome is failing the annual inspection, requiring re-registration or restoration to the original condition, and potential issues with insurance claims. Registering the modification isn't difficult—just bring the vehicle registration certificate, ID card, and the invoice from the wrapping shop to the vehicle management office within 10 days of the modification for photos and updating the driving license. It's best not to skip this step to avoid future hassles. Safe driving is more important, and illegal modifications only increase risks.
As someone who frequently deals with car maintenance, I must remind you that the penalties for changing your car's color with a wrap without registration are quite severe. The fine ranges from at least 200 yuan up to 500 yuan, and you may also lose 2-3 driving points. More importantly, if caught by traffic police, you might be forced to remove the wrap on the spot, disrupting your daily vehicle use. The registration process is simple: within 10 days after applying the wrap, visit the DMV with your ID, vehicle photos, and proof of wrap material to update your registration certificate. Skipping this step can cause confusion in vehicle identification, making it hard to trace in accidents, and may lead to failed annual inspections or insurance claim rejections. Taking a little time to complete the legal procedures is far better than dealing with fines—don’t risk major trouble for temporary convenience.
