Changing Your Car’s Colour – What You Need to Know

Changing Car Colour – Rules, Resprays, and What the DVLA Needs to Know

Fancy switching things up with a new car colour? Whether you're thinking about a full respray, a vinyl wrap, or just changing the look of your lease car for fun or branding, there are a few things you need to be aware of — especially when it comes to DVLA rules, insurance, and your lease agreement.

Let’s break it all down.

Can I change my car’s colour?

Yes — but with conditions.

You can change the colour of your car either by respraying it or applying a wrap. However, if the car is leased, the rules are stricter — and there’s a good chance you'll need to ask permission before doing anything.

DVLA rules for changing car colour

If you change the main colour of your vehicle — whether permanently with paint or temporarily with a wrap — you must notify the DVLA. This is done by updating your V5C logbook and sending it off with the new colour information.

If the change is only cosmetic or partial (like stripes, decals, or coloured mirrors), you don’t need to update the DVLA.

Wrap vs respray – what’s the difference?

Respray:

• Permanent

• More expensive

• Not suitable for lease cars (see below)

Wrap:

• Temporary

• Reversible

• Often cheaper

• Great for leased vehicles if approved

Wraps can be done in almost any finish (matte, gloss, satin, carbon fibre, even chrome), and usually last 3–5 years.

Can you change the colour of a lease car?

No — you can't respray or permanently alter the paint on a lease car. Since you don’t own the vehicle, any permanent modifications like repainting are against the lease agreement.

However, wraps are usually allowed — as long as:

• You get written permission from the lease provider beforehand

• The wrap is completely removable

• You return the car in its original condition and colour

Before you book anything, always check with your lease company. Most are fine with wraps for branding or style, as long as the wrap is removed before the car goes back.

Do I need to tell my insurer?

Yes. Changing your car’s colour — even with a temporary wrap — counts as a modification, and you must inform your insurance provider.

It doesn’t always affect your premium, but if you don’t declare it and need to make a claim, it could cause issues.

Final thoughts

You can absolutely change your car’s colour — but you’ve got to go about it the right way. If it’s your own vehicle, respraying or wrapping is your call (just make sure you tell the DVLA and your insurer). But if it’s a lease car, permanent changes like repainting are off the table — and wraps are only allowed with permission and must be removed before return.

Still, if you want a car in a specific colour, the easiest route might be to lease one that already looks the way you want. We’ve got access to all sorts of finishes and factory colours — so just let us know what you’re after, and we’ll help you find a car that suits your style from day one.