Legal Car Modification in India | RTO Rules for Car Modification | Abcd Vlogs 69

Описание: The section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 notifies about the alterations in motor vehicles. Here is what it reads-

“No owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by the manufacturer: Provided that where the owner of a motor vehicle makes modification of the engine, or any part thereof, of a vehicle for facilitating its operation by different type of fuel or source of energy including battery, compressed natural gas, solar power, liquid petroleum gas or any other fuel or source of energy, by fitment of a conversion kit, such modification shall be carried out subject to such conditions as may be prescribed: Provided further that the Central Government may prescribe specifications, conditions for approval, retrofitment and other related matters for such conversion kits: Provided also that the Central Government may grant exemption for alteration of vehicles in a manner other than specified above, for any specific purpose.”

What does it imply?
Simply put, modifications such as wider tyres, bigger alloy wheels and louder horns (which deviate from the manufacturer’s specifications) is not legal. Here’s what the judgment says about altering the tyres -"amended with the purpose to prohibit alteration of vehicles in any manner, including change of tyres of higher capacity, keeping in view road safety and protection of the environment".

What can be modified in a vehicle?

1) You can change the colour of the vehicle as the SC has said that changing the color of the vehicle depending on the customer’s will not deter a vehicle from getting registered.
2) Minor fitments that door protectors, decals, rain guard can be added.
3) One can change the tyres in affordable cars as the manufacturers usually offer different spec tyres for base and top variant. (E.g.) Maruti Suzuki Swift Lxi comes with 160 section tyre while the Zxi comes with a 180 section tyre. So a Lxi owner can opt for 180 section tyre, as the vehicle is the same.
4) The engine can be changed, but it requires prior permission from the RTO. If the protocols are not followed, the vehicle’s registration can be cancelled.

Any modification that deviates from the manufacturer’s specifications is not legal.

Width of the tyres: This is a no-brainer, bigger tyres do look good on your vehicle but increasing the width of the tyre to an extent where it protrudes the body of the car, is illegal.
Loudness of the horn: Changing the sound and loudness of the horn is a trend nowadays but the government has declared, that to reduce the noise pollution caused by car horns, the horns cannot be louder than 100 decibels.
Width of alloys: Different alloys can give different looks to your tyres but modifying your alloys, where the lip of the alloy protrudes the tyre edge has been banned by the government.
Width and the length of the vehicle: Well everyone wants a limo or an SUV but not everyone can afford it. So, people go on and hinder with the length of their cars to make it look like a Limo or an SUV. Well, that’s not allowed by the government too.
Modification of engine to a higher capacity one: Inter-changing your engine with a better one does give you better horsepower and efficiency but changing the engine to other than the manufacturer’s specifications is banned too.
Tinting the windows: As per The Supreme Court Of India ruling, car window tinting is prohibited in India. The use of window tint of any VLT (Visual Light Transmission) rating on the windscreen (front and rear), side windows is illegal. Tinted windows straight from the car manufacturer is allowed with certain conditions applied.

Is it legal to vinyl wrap a car in India?

The law about Vinyl wrapping in our country is quite ambiguous. The law or the hearing by the Supreme Court bench headed by Justices Arun Mishra and Vineet Saran said nothing about vinyl wrap on a car. It is always suggested that before doing any sort of modification to the colour of your car, always consult with your region’s RTO just to be sure.