Modified cars - what you need to know
Cars can be modified to improve
performance or style. If you're considering modifying your car or you have
purchased a modified car, you can find information below on modifications
including in-car entertainment, lights or reflectors, suspension and brakes.
Safety first
Staying
safe and legal is extremely important when modifying your car. It is essential
to remember that too many modifications can affect the road handling of your
car. It could also put you on the wrong side of the law and perhaps your insurance
company.
In-car entertainment
Over the
last few years there has been a huge increase in the amount of in-car
entertainment devices that have become available for the motorist.
However,
it's important to remember that as technology improves, the driver of the car
still has the most important job to do - and that means they must not get
distracted by in-car entertainment, such as watching a TV screen in the
rear-view mirror, or rummaging around with an MP3 player. Moving images within
view of the driver are illegal whilst driving.
Lights or reflectors
Headlamps
must show a substantially white or yellow light. Rear position lamps must show
a steady red light to the rear only. Tinting of rear reflectors which will
reduce efficiency in darkness is not permitted
Wheels and tyres
Changes
to wheels and tyres can significantly alter your car's behaviour on the road.
Important points to consider when fitting bigger wheels and tyres is to:
- ensure they are
approved by the vehicle manufacturer
- provide adequate
clearance between tyre and bodywork
Suspension
Modifications
to the suspension which is the fitment of stiffer springs and lowering kits,
should be only be done where the car's road handling will not be compromised.
This work must be carried out by a competent engineer.
Brakes
Modifications
to your car's brakes must at all times be carried out by a competent engineer.
Before parting with your money, seek advice from independent suppliers and the
vehicle manufacturer to ensure that the brakes you intend fitting are approved
and will not involve any major modification of existing mounting points.
Number plates
Number
plates must:
- comply with
current legislation
- be displayed in
a prominent position
- not be misleading
Exhaust system
All
exhaust silencers must be maintained in a good and efficient working order. You
will be breaking the law if you remove a silencer or make any modification that
would make that vehicle emit a noise louder than the original exhaust before it
was modified.
To read
more about the above car modifications you can download a copy of the 'Modified
Cars - what you need to know' leaflet or you can contact Driver & Vehicle
Agency (DVA) directly.
- Modified cars -
what you need to know information leaflet
- Driver & Vehicle
Agency
