Changing Your Car Paint? Follow This JPJ Registration Guide

Thinking about giving your car a new colour?

Changing your car’s paint can make it look completely different. But before you hit the road with a new colour, remember that your vehicle’s registered details should match its actual appearance.

If you repaint your car, you need to update the vehicle colour details with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Do you need JPJ approval to change your car colour?

Yes. A change in your vehicle’s colour is considered a change to the vehicle details recorded by JPJ.

This is related to Section 12 of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers the inspection of motor vehicles and the provision of information to the Director-General.

JPJ’s current JPJ K8 form specifically includes a section for changing or correcting vehicle details, including the registered colour.

So, don’t just repaint your car and leave the registered colour unchanged.

How to change your car colour with JPJ

The process is fairly straightforward.

1. Repaint your car

You can repaint your car before going to JPJ.

If you are using more than one colour, make sure you understand how JPJ determines the vehicle’s registered colour. For a vehicle with multiple colours, the colour covering the largest area may be used as the main colour recorded for the vehicle.

2. Bring the car to a JPJ office

After repainting, bring your vehicle to a JPJ office for the required inspection and update of its vehicle details.

Do not assume that changing the colour can be completed entirely through the MyJPJ app. MyJPJ is JPJ’s current official digital platform for vehicle and licence-related services, but JPJ’s current published materials still list the K8 form for changes to vehicle details.

3. Fill in the JPJ K8 form

Complete the Notis Pertukaran / Pembetulan Butir-Butir Kenderaan dan Pemunya Berdaftar (JPJ K8).

The current JPJ K8 guide includes a specific field for Warna (Colour), with colour codes such as:

• BIR – Blue
• COK – Brown
• HIJ – Green
• HIT – Black
• KEL – Grey
• KUN – Yellow
• MAR – Maroon
• MER – Red
• ORE – Orange
• PER – Silver
• PUT – White
• UNG – Purple

You can check the latest K8 form through the official JPJ forms page.

4. JPJ checks the vehicle

JPJ will check the vehicle and its updated colour.

Once the change is accepted, the registered vehicle information can be updated accordingly.

Do you need to update the colour within 7 days?

The important point is to update JPJ’s vehicle records after changing the colour, rather than leaving the registered information different from the actual vehicle.

The older version of this article states that owners must make the application within seven days. I would avoid presenting this as a blanket current deadline unless JPJ confirms the specific seven-day requirement for this transaction.

JPJ’s current published material confirms that vehicle colour is one of the vehicle details that can be amended using the K8 process.

What happens if you don’t update the colour?

Your vehicle’s registered details may no longer match its actual appearance.

This can create unnecessary problems if your vehicle is inspected or if you need to deal with JPJ or other authorities.

It is also a good idea to inform your insurer or takaful operator about material changes to your vehicle and check your policy terms.

Don’t assume that an insurer will automatically reject a claim simply because the vehicle colour was not updated. Claims are assessed according to the policy terms and circumstances of the incident.

Does MyJPJ replace the JPJ colour-change process?

Not completely.

MyJPJ is JPJ’s current official mobile application and provides access to various digital services, including vehicle and licence information.

However, I could not verify a current JPJ announcement showing that changing a vehicle’s registered colour can be completed fully through MyJPJ.

For a colour change, the safer approach is to follow JPJ’s current K8 and inspection requirements.

If you are unsure which JPJ branch can handle the transaction, check JPJ’s official website or contact JPJ before going to the counter.

Don’t forget your car insurance

After making changes to your vehicle, remember to keep your car insurance or takaful coverage up to date.

BJAK currently allows drivers to compare car insurance quotes from 16 insurers and takaful operators in Malaysia.

You can compare car insurance quotes through BJAK and review the available coverage before renewing.

A little preparation can save you unnecessary trouble later, especially when your vehicle details have changed.