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Car Modifications in India: A Guide to Legal and Illegal Customisations

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Car enthusiasts in India often dream of personalising their vehicles to reflect their style and preferences. However, before diving into customisation, it is crucial to be aware of the car modification rules in India. Whether you're looking to change the paint job or enhance the performance, alterations should comply with the legal guidelines. Also, it’s important to inform your insurer about these changes as they could affect your car insurance premiums.

What Are the Legal Car Modifications in India?

In India, some car modifications are allowed, provided they do not compromise safety and violate emission and other legal standards. Here's a look at the most popular legal modifications:

1. Enhancing the Look

Aesthetic modifications like paint jobs, decals, and body wraps are completely legal as long as they don’t affect the safety features of the car. Customising the appearance of your vehicle is one of the easiest ways to personalise it, but make sure to consult the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for approval if you are making significant changes.

2. Changing Car Colours

You can change the colour of your car, but you need RTO approval for the modification. It is important that the new shade is recorded in your vehicle's registration certificate. Certain colours, like Army Green, are reserved for military vehicles, so it’s best to avoid using them.

3. Custom Body Wraps

Vinyl wraps or body wraps are becoming a popular alternative to paint jobs. They offer a fresh look and also protect the original paint. The best part is that these wraps do not require RTO approval, and they can last up to five years or more.

4. Tyre Upgrades

Upgrading your tyres is allowed, provided the new ones meet the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. It’s essential to ensure that the tyre load index and speed rating match the requirements and that the size does not negatively affect the car’s performance or handling.

5. Alloy Wheels

Alloy wheels are another legal modification that enhances both the performance and aesthetic of your car. However, make sure that the size of the wheels and tyres does not exceed the limits specified by the manufacturer.

6. Lighting Modifications

Upgrading the car's lighting system, such as adding brighter headlights or LED lights, is legal as long as they meet the safety standards for brightness and colour. For instance, high-intensity discharge (HID) lights without projectors are considered illegal, but white LED lights are acceptable.

7. Differently-abled Modifications

Modifications that make cars more accessible to differently-abled individuals, such as adding special controls, ramps, or automatic brakes, are not only legal but often encouraged. These modifications must comply with safety regulations and be registered with the RTO.

8. Interior Modifications

Modifying the interior of your car, such as adding new seat covers, upgrading the infotainment system, or improving the air conditioning, is legal, provided these changes don’t affect the vehicle’s safety or structural integrity.

9. Improving Vehicle Performance

Performance modifications like upgrading the exhaust system or tuning the engine are allowed, but they must comply with emission standards and safety regulations. It’s important to obtain certification from testing agencies like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) if needed.

10. Aftermarket CNG Kits

If you wish to convert your vehicle to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), you can install an aftermarket CNG kit, but it must be registered with the RTO. Once registered, your car’s registration certificate will be updated to reflect the modification.

What Are the Illegal Car Modifications in India?

While many modifications are permissible, others cross the line and can lead to legal trouble. Here are some common illegal car alterations that you must avoid:

1. Structural Modifications

Any alteration to the car’s frame or chassis is strictly prohibited. Such modifications could compromise the vehicle’s safety and are considered illegal under Indian law. Modifications of the car’s structure, including lifting the body or altering the frame, are not allowed unless approved by the RTO and ARAI.

2. Flashy Car Horns

Installing loud horns, including air or pressure horns, is illegal in India. According to government guidelines, car horns must not exceed 100 decibels. Any modifications to the horn that increase noise pollution are prohibited.

3. Designer Registration Plates

Customising your car’s number plate with unique fonts or designs is illegal. The law mandates that all cars must have high-security number plates with the "IND" embossed, which cannot be altered.

4. Window Tinting

Tinting the windows of your car is illegal unless you hold VVIP or VIP status. Even then, the tint must meet the regulations laid down by the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, which specifies that visibility must not be reduced below 50% for side windows and 70% for the windshield.

5. Loud Exhaust Systems

While upgrading your exhaust system is allowed, any modification that results in noise levels exceeding 100 decibels is illegal. Such changes not only contribute to noise pollution but also fail to meet the legal noise standards set by the authorities.

6. Suspension Modifications

Modifying the suspension system to drastically alter the car’s ground clearance is illegal unless you have RTO approval. Such changes can affect the vehicle’s handling and stability, making them dangerous for both the driver and others on the road.

7. High-Intensity Lighting

While LED lights are allowed, the use of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps without proper projectors is illegal. Also, tinting the headlights with colours such as blue, green, or red is not permitted.

8. Engine Swaps

Changing the engine of your car is allowed, but only if the replacement engine has the same specifications as the original one. RTO approval is required for engine swaps, and the new engine number must be recorded in the car’s registration certificate.

What Are the Things to Consider Before Modifying the Car?

Before diving into modifications, keep the following points in mind:

1. Safety

Your car should always meet safety standards. Avoid modifications that could compromise the structural integrity or safety features of your vehicle.

2. Consult the RTO

Always check with the RTO before making major modifications, especially if they involve performance or structural changes. Getting approval before making changes will help you avoid legal issues.

3. Insurance Considerations

Modifications can impact your car insurance policy. If you modify your vehicle, inform your insurer, as certain alterations could affect the coverage and premiums of your comprehensive car insurance.

4. Resale Value

While modifications can make your car stand out, they may also impact its resale value. Keep in mind that not all buyers may appreciate the enhancements, and it could reduce the marketability of your vehicle.

Conclusion

Car modifications can add a personal touch to your vehicle, but it’s important to stay within the bounds of the law. Understanding the car modification rules in India is necessary to avoid legal issues. You must also inform your insurance provider about any refinements, as some alterations may change the premium calculation for your comprehensive or third-party car insurance.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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