Question: I’m getting my car painted in a new color! I know I’m supposed to report the change to the DMV, but I don’t really know how to do it. What should I do to change the color of my car on my registration?
Answer:
You can change basic information on your registration, including the color of your vehicle, by contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Notifying your DMV should be enough to have the color change noted on your registration. Depending on the state you live in, your DMV has varying ways you can update the registration or title to indicate the new color. Contact your DMV for further information.
Not every state requires you to update your registration after a paint job, but it’s a good idea to check anyway. In New York, for example, you are required to send in the original title so a new one can be issued with the proper information on it. However, other states, like Florida, do not require you to update the DMV after changing the color of your vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t.
Color is not used to determine your insurance rates, but it is still a good idea to let your auto insurance company know of the change so the vehicle description on the policy is accurate in case you have to make an insurance claim at some point. A policy that does not match what shows up in an accident report, police report or insurance claim could cause headaches later for you. If you’re worried about increased rates, check with your insurance agent before altering your car’s color.
What about car wraps?
Vinyl wraps are designed to be measured and affixed to your vehicle to change its color or add graphics. Owners will often opt for a wrap rather than repainting because it can be done for significantly less money.
Generally speaking, car wraps are treated the same as repainting, and you should take the same steps to update your DMV and your insurance company so the documentation attached to your vehicle is accurate. As with paint jobs, laws vary by state, so check with your DMV for what is required in your state.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
Phil Metzger is a personal finance editor and writer with more than 30 years of experience editing and writing content across a variety of industries. In writing and editing for Jerry, Phil’s mission is to help car owners better understand their vehicles and the costs associated with car ownership. Before joining Jerry, Phil worked as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, television radio and online news. His work has appeared in many major publications and websites over the years, including a series he edited that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.
