What procedures are required for changing the color of a vehicle?
3 Answers
Identity proof of the vehicle owner; vehicle registration certificate; vehicle license; if it involves replacing the engine, body, or frame, a motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate must also be submitted. If it involves replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues, a motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate must also be submitted, except for vehicles imported through customs and those exempted from safety technical inspections as determined by the competent department of motor vehicle products under the State Council. Below is additional information: 1. Relevant regulations: The motor vehicle inspection station reviews the documents submitted by the vehicle owner or agent; confirms the vehicle, and if it involves changing the engine, fuel type, body, or frame, compares it with the national stolen vehicle information system and conducts a safety inspection of the vehicle. If it complies with the regulations, an acceptance certificate is issued to the vehicle owner or agent.
Changing your vehicle's color is actually a simple process! As someone who frequently modifies cars, I've found the first step is to apply for a modification registration at your local vehicle management office. Bring your ID card and the original vehicle registration certificate, then fill out a modification application form specifying the color change. After completing the painting or wrapping, don't hit the road immediately—you must return to the vehicle management office for an inspection to ensure the exterior modifications are safe, such as not covering the license plate or lights. Once approved, they'll take new photos for their system and issue you a new vehicle license. The whole process can be completed in half a day if everything goes smoothly, with costs ranging from 200 to 500 yuan. I was once warned for not declaring a paint job, so I remind everyone to prepare in advance to avoid fines or insurance claim issues. It's best to choose a reputable shop for painting, as uneven color might fail the inspection.
From my experience, changing the vehicle body color requires formal procedures to ensure safety and legality. First, you need to submit a modification application to the DMV, preparing the vehicle registration certificate, a copy of the owner's ID card, and the application form. After painting or applying a wrap, return to the inspection point where staff will review that the color change does not obstruct visibility or license plates. If everything checks out, the vehicle license photo information will be updated. This process requires the use of eco-friendly materials and avoids illegal modifications like extreme color changes that affect identification. Costs typically range in the hundreds, and the process can take as little as a few hours. For painting, it's recommended to use a certified shop, while wraps are easier to revert. A common pitfall is changing the color without reporting it, which can lead to denied claims during annual inspections or accidents.
