The plan is to wrap a car in house-style colors and apply the company logo. The design is made to order. The car is white, with blue stripes along the sides, on the hood, and on the trunk. Will this attract trouble with traffic authorities?
The head of the Main Directorate of Road Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs speaks to readers about color schemes, markings, and legal requirements. |
One primary concern is the risk that the color scheme and the placement of painted elements resemble those used on official vehicles. Even a broad similarity can lead to questions about whether the vehicle is connected to a law enforcement service. In such cases, the driver may face administrative penalties if the appearance of the car mirrors the distinctive color schemes of operational services.
National standards provide guidance on official vehicle color schemes. When a color combination or layout closely imitates these schemes, authorities may interpret it as an unlawful modification. Depending on jurisdiction, penalties can include a temporary loss of driving rights and other administrative consequences. It is important to check local regulations before proceeding with any highly recognizable color patterns or official-looking inscriptions.
Additionally, changing the vehicle’s color may require updating official records. In many systems, changes to exterior color or identifier markings necessitate notifying the relevant vehicle registration authority to avoid discrepancies with license plate data and to maintain compliance with the rules governing vehicle appearance.
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