What procedures are required at the DMV for car color changes?
3 Answers
Changing the color requires registering the modification of the vehicle's color at the DMV. The necessary documents for applying to change the vehicle's body color include: the "Motor Vehicle Modification Registration Application Form," identification documents of the vehicle owner and agent, the vehicle registration certificate, and the vehicle's license. According to Article 6 of Chapter 2 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," if the area of color change does not exceed 30%, there is no need to register the modification. Conversely, if it exceeds 30%, it must be filed and registered within 10 days after the color change. Precautions for changing vehicle wrap colors: Before preparing to change the color of the vehicle wrap, it is necessary to consult the local DMV where the vehicle is registered to check if the region permits changing the vehicle's color using wraps. If the region does not support this method, the modification cannot be filed after the change, and the wrap must be completely removed to restore the vehicle's original color. Additionally, according to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," owners are no longer required to apply to the DMV in advance. They can first change the vehicle's color, install body kits, replace the engine, etc., and then apply to the DMV for modification registration. According to Article 10, registered motor vehicles must apply for modification registration under the following circumstances: Changing the body color. Replacing the engine. Replacing the body or frame. Replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues. Changing the use nature, such as converting a commercial vehicle to a non-commercial vehicle or vice versa. The vehicle owner's residence moves out of or into the DMV's jurisdiction. Furthermore, 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 must spray emblem patterns and install alarms and signal lights as required. Other motor vehicles are not allowed to spray, install, or use emblem patterns, alarms, or signal lights that are exclusive to or similar to those of the aforementioned vehicles. Article 56 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" states that if the body color is changed without registering the modification as required, the public security traffic management department will issue a warning or impose a fine. The vehicle may also be impounded and required to revert to the original body color.
I just gave my little white car a new electric metallic gray wrap, and the first thing after the color change was to visit the DMV for registration. Remember to bring your ID card, vehicle license, and vehicle registration certificate (green book). First, go to the inspection station for vehicle inspection and photo-taking. The staff will check the VIN and confirm the color complies with regulations. The key point is not to imitate the colors of special vehicles like police cars or fire trucks, and the reflectivity of the wrap also has requirements. Then fill out the "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form," pay a 10-yuan fee for a new vehicle license. The whole process takes about two hours, and the car looks shiny in the photo. Only after getting the new license can you feel at ease. After all, if caught without registering the color change, you could be fined 200 yuan, and it might affect your annual inspection.
Helped friends with color change registration several times, the key steps are three: must be done within 10 days after color change! First, go to the vehicle inspection area of the DMV, remove all stickers to keep the exterior clean, staff will take the chassis number imprint. Then submit materials at the window, note that the new color name must be clearly written in the application form in advance, such as "Ice Berry Pink" or "Emerald Green". If applying color change film, remember to ask the merchant for a formal invoice. The most tricky part is that wheel color change doesn't count as body color change, but if the body is covered with patterns like camouflage or leopard print, exceeding 30% area might not pass the review.
