There are numerous modifications available for car owners to explore to improve the car’s appearance & performance. There are some manufacturers who desire to produce some modifications for international clients, but the differences in validity can become a serious issue for international motorists.
It can also be difficult for each different state’s laws regarding street racers & enthusiasts who are willing to bend the law, illegal car modifications in India can readjust the car’s performance to be risky for the driver & can cause motorized malfunctions.
Illegal Car Modifications in India
Illegal modifications, which are also recognized as mods, use aftermarket parts to make the car reach higher top speeds, handle better, & enhance gasoline use efficacy, to name a few. Several mods are used to reduce the weight of vehicles that can boost the speed & handling, while others create more aerodynamic bodies. Other modifications like reworked wheels of the car, either offering greater traction & adding the aesthetic flair with spinners or chrome.
While legal mods are recognized as a fun way to customize your car & enter legal races and illegal changes to a car can disrupt the safety standards, which are put in place for a reason. Mods that affect electrical systems can enhance the chance of breakdown, making turn signals, & headlights more susceptible to failure than if the factory conditions were retained.
Different Types of Illegal Car Modifications in India
Illegal modifications – Tinted glass
By applying tinted glass on the car is the most common traffic law which most of the individuals particularly disobey. Traffic police simply catch the offense & charge those individuals with heavy fines. By considering the law, your vehicle should have at least 70% of reflectivity for the rear window, & for the side windows of the car, it is approx. 50%.
Vinyl Wraps
Is car wrapping legal in India? Vinyl wraps & body wraps for cars are the legal types of car modifications in India as they don’t hamper the structural identity of your vehicle. Most of the external modifications which cover the outside area only, are strictly permitted by Indian law. Furthermore, vinyl comes in several price ranges which are depending on the quality & the area that requires to be covered. The vinyl wraps for cars are also applied on the car’s roof which has been the most popular trend in India as the wrap on the car roof not only looks better but also safeguards the car’s paint.
Illegal modifications – Fancy Number Plates for Vehicles
In India, the person has to comply with the rules set by the Indian government regarding fancy number plates. It means for the vehicle’s number plates there is no scope for customizing.
The vehicle’s number plate which sports any artwork & unconventional font is certainly illegal. Moreover, the dimensions of the plate should not exceed the prescribed size. You have to display the number of plates on both sides of the car – the front & the rear. Only the vehicles with a High-Security Registration Plate are legal at the pan India level.
Tinted Car Windows of the Cars
The authority of tinted cars depends on the percentage of light which can pass via tinted windows. Tinted windows of cars are not always prohibited, as long as the tinted windows can filter in enough light. The windscreen at the front & back should be approx. 70% transparent to be legal on Indian roads. If the tinted window film you get for your car does not allow 70% transparency, it is pretty much against Indian law.
However, you can use moderately darker tinted window films on the side windows. It only has to let at least 50% sunlight through. Though, very dark sun films applied to the windshields can affect visibility & enhances the chance of accidents.
Other Illegal Car Modifications
Colors of the cars
If you want to re-paint the car in a different color, you have to ensure that you have updated the same color that is mentioned in the car’s RC. It may be problematic for the traffic policeman to hook this offense. Though, during the routine documentation check of your car, if he glances at the color section of RC, you can be in worry.
Body Style of the car
Though this is uncommon, if you alter the original body type of the car, the style has to be simplified in the car’s RC.
Extra Add-ons in the car
Any additional add-ons in the car are illegal, as per Indian law, to have add-on parts that are attached to your car. For instance, the roof rack may be practical for long trips, but it is measured as illegal on cars that are privately registered.
Alternate fuels in cars
If you wanted to install the CNG kit or the LPG kit in your car, you have to ensure the same is permitted on the car’s RC copy by the RTO as per the car’s registration. It is the legal requirement else cops have the right to issue a challan to you.
Final Verdict
It is worthwhile to use the car in standard form. While the car modification sounds great, it can land you in worry easily. Most of us tend to get away with minor changes to cars. However, to stay safe in the long run, ensure you do not indulge in the changes revealed above.
Read Also:
- Car Wrapping in India – Legality, problems & tips
- Traffic Police E Challan Ahmedabad
- Red light jumping Challan