How to Change a Vehicle's Colour on the CR Book in Sri Lanka

How do you change a vehicle's colour on the CR book in Sri Lanka?

You cannot just repaint your car and drive off. The colour on your Certificate of Registration (CR) is a legal detail, so you need the Commissioner-General of Motor Traffic's approval, an inspection by an RMV Motor Vehicle Examiner after the repaint, and then an updated CR book showing the new colour. Skipping this leaves you with a vehicle whose paperwork doesn't match the vehicle itself.

Key facts

• Colour is a core detail on your CR book, so changing it counts as an "amendment of particulars" at the RMV/DMT.
• You need approval before the change is treated as final, then an inspection afterwards to confirm it.
• A Motor Vehicle Examiner issues a certificate (CMT 130) confirming the new colour matches what's on file.
• Leased or mortgaged vehicles usually need written permission from the finance company first.
• Camouflage, military green/grey, and emergency-service colours are not approved for private vehicles.
• Multi-coloured vehicles must have the dominant colour clearly recorded on the CR.
• Owners report the full process, from application to receiving the updated book, can take several months.
• Always carry your current revenue licence and a valid insurance certificate when you visit the RMV, as these are commonly checked alongside the CR.

Why does the RMV care what colour your car is?

The RMV cares because colour, along with the chassis and engine numbers, is one of the identifying details used to confirm a vehicle is what its paperwork says it is. Police, insurers, and anyone checking a vehicle's ownership history rely on the CR book matching the real car. A mismatched colour raises questions at police checkpoints, during an ownership transfer, or when an insurer is assessing a claim.

What documents do you need to change a vehicle's colour?

You need your current Certificate of Registration (CR book), your National Identity Card, and the completed attribute-change application that the RMV issues for this purpose, according to MotorGuide.lk. If the vehicle is owned by a company, you'll also need the relevant company documents. Collect the correct form from your RMV office first, since the exact form used can vary slightly between offices — confirm it when you go, as of November 2026.

If the vehicle still has an active lease or bank mortgage, get written permission from the leasing company or bank before applying. The vehicle is still their security until you've settled the lease, so the RMV won't process a colour change without that consent.

What is the step-by-step process at the RMV?

The process has two stages: approval before you repaint, and inspection and registration after.

1. Apply for approval. Submit your CR book, NIC, and the attribute-change application to the RMV to get the Commissioner-General's prior approval for the colour change.
2. Repaint the vehicle. Once approved, get the vehicle repainted (or wrapped) in the approved colour.
3. Present the vehicle for inspection. Take the vehicle to a Motor Vehicle Examiner. Based on one owner's account shared on the AutoLanka forums, this inspection also re-checks the engine number, chassis number, dimensions, tyre size, and wheelbase against the CR, and the vehicle is weighed to confirm it matches the recorded weight. Any mismatch — even an unrelated one, like a tyre size change that was never recorded — can hold up the colour change until it's sorted out separately.
4. Collect the examiner's certificate. Once the examiner is satisfied, you're issued form CMT 130, confirming the new colour.
5. Return to the RMV with the certificate. Submit the CMT 130, your original CR book, and your NIC to have the colour change formally entered.
6. Wait for the updated CR book. The reissued CR book showing the new colour is sent out, which owners describe taking several months in practice.

The exact offices involved differ by district — in the Colombo area, for example, inspections have been done at the Werahera RMV while paperwork is filed at Narahenpita — so check which office handles inspections and which handles registration for your province before you start.

How much does it cost to change a vehicle's colour in Sri Lanka?

The official amendment fee for a change of particulars is a small administrative charge, around LKR 100, according to MotorGuide.lk — but you should confirm the current figure at your RMV office, as fees change and this guide can't guarantee today's exact amount as of November 2026. On top of that, there's a separate Motor Vehicle Inspection Fee that varies by vehicle type, paid when the examiner inspects your repainted vehicle. Owners have also described paying smaller receipt fees at the inspection stage itself. Budget for the paint job, the inspection fee, the amendment fee, and the possibility of a return visit if anything doesn't match on the day.

Can you change the colour of a leased vehicle?

Only with the leasing company's written consent. Since the vehicle legally belongs to the finance company until the lease is settled, the RMV will not process a colour change — or most other attribute changes — without their sign-off. If you're still paying off a lease and want to repaint, speak to your leasing company before you touch the vehicle, not after.

Are any colours banned for private vehicles?

Yes. Camouflage patterns and military green or grey tones are reserved for the armed forces, and colours used by emergency services (such as marked police or ambulance liveries) are also off-limits for private vehicles. If you're planning a bold wrap or a two-tone finish, check with the RMV first — for multi-coloured vehicles, the CR must clearly show which colour is the dominant one.

What happens if you don't update the CR book after repainting?

Driving with a CR that doesn't match your vehicle's actual colour can cause problems at police checkpoints, when renewing your revenue licence, and especially when you come to sell the vehicle. A buyer or their financier checking the CR against the vehicle in person will spot the mismatch immediately, and it can delay or derail an ownership transfer. It's also worth telling your insurer about a colour change, since the vehicle described on your policy should match what's on the road — this matters if you ever need to make a claim.

What should you do before repainting, if you're planning to sell soon?

If you're repainting mainly to prepare the car for sale, think about timing. A full attribute-change process can take months, so if you need to sell quickly, a mismatched CR colour is something you'll need to disclose and explain to buyers, or sort out before you list the car. Check our safety tips for what buyers typically verify against the CR book, and when you're ready, you can list your vehicle once the paperwork is in order. If you're unsure whether your situation needs RMV approval — for example, a wrap versus a full repaint — ask in the Wahanaya forum, where other owners who've been through the process can share what worked for them.

And if you're shopping for a vehicle rather than selling one, it's worth glancing at the CR colour against the vehicle you're viewing — a mismatch isn't automatically a red flag, but it's a fair question to ask the seller before you commit. You can compare similar vehicles and typical asking prices on Wahanaya's price check tool while you decide.

Sources

• Vehicle Colour Change Rules and RMV Procedure - MotorGuide.lk
• Newest Vehicle Colour change Process at RMV - AutoLanka Forums