What procedures are required for changing the color of a car at the DMV?
2 Answers
Procedures required for changing the color of a car at the DMV: Fill out an application form, present the motor vehicle for inspection, and submit the following documents and proofs: the identity proof of the vehicle owner, the motor vehicle registration certificate, the motor vehicle driving license, and the motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate. Relevant legal provisions: 1. Article 12: When the vehicle management office handles the registration of changes to a motor vehicle, if it is necessary to change the motor vehicle license plate number, the license plate and driving license will be recovered, a new motor vehicle license plate number will be determined, and the license plate, driving license, and inspection qualification mark will be reissued. 2. Article 13: If the residence of the motor vehicle owner moves out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the vehicle management office shall, within three days from the date of acceptance, annotate the changes on the motor vehicle registration certificate, recover the license plate and driving license, issue a temporary driving license plate valid for 30 days, and hand over the motor vehicle file to the motor vehicle owner. The motor vehicle owner shall apply for the transfer of the motor vehicle to the local vehicle management office at the place of residence within the validity period of the temporary driving license plate.
Last year when I changed my car's color, to complete the registration smoothly, I first prepared my ID card, vehicle license, original and photocopied vehicle registration certificate at the DMV. As soon as I drove in, staff directed me to park in a designated area for photos to confirm the color matched the original registration. While filling out the modification application form, I had to clearly specify the old and new color details, then pay a fee of 50-100 RMB. The whole process took about two hours. Remember to complete it within 30 days after the color change to avoid penalty points and fines for late registration. There are also color restrictions - for example, you can't use police blue or ambulance green, otherwise it won't pass inspection. I recommend making an appointment in advance via the 12123 Traffic Management App to skip queues. If the color change affects reflective sticker placement, additional vehicle inspection might be required - safety first!
