Vehicle conversion. What is a vehicle modification?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Effective technologies and engineering solutions are implemented in a modern car, thanks to which the technical characteristics of transport are high. However, some owners do not like some design elements of their car. And they independently make technical improvements and thereby make the conversion of the vehicle.

However, it is worth remembering that in this case you may encounter some difficulties, because the rules strictly prohibit drivers from making changes to the design of the transport.

What does the vehicle conversion law say?

Federal Law No. 196 is the main regulatory document that regulates the procedure for re-equipping vehicles. Article 16 (paragraph 4) clearly states the principle that the driver must undergo a newdeclaring and re-certifying the car after making changes to the design, installing additional equipment, spare parts and accessories.

Supervision rests on the shoulders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as territorial divisions. And making changes to the documents is already being carried out by the traffic police department. However, this feature should not be confused with certification. The latter is carried out by authorized and independent organizations, then an expert opinion is issued.

What is a vehicle conversion anyway?

Under the change in the design of the car, it is supposed to install new equipment, which was not provided initially. All parts installed by the driver can affect the safety of traffic on the road, and because of this, such an act is an offense.

Any attempt to install a unit on a car that is not provided by the manufacturer requires documentation. Let's look at common examples.

Using HBO

In Russia, many drivers install LPG equipment in order to be able to refuel gas, not gasoline. However, the transfer of the car to gas will require registration of HBO. To do this, you must pass a technical examination, apply for the conversion of the vehicle and obtain permission. After that, you can install HBO in a certified service, pass an inspection fordetermination of the safety of the structure, collect all the documents and submit them to the traffic police. In the department, subject to the availability of all the necessary documents, they will issue a certificate confirming the compliance of the car with the changes made to its design.

Mounting rims with smaller or larger diameters

In this case, everything is ambiguous. The driver has the right to install any disks, the diameter of which is included in the list recommended by the manufacturer. The list of diameters allowed for installation is usually located on the doorway and is definitely in the technical documentation. In the event that you choose the wrong diameter, which will not correspond to the recommended by the manufacturer, this will be regarded as a design change. Therefore, clearance will be required.

Tow bar installation

In order to understand whether it is necessary to register the installation of a towbar, first of all it is necessary to determine whether this item is officially included in the list of additional equipment.

Structurally, the device is designed for traction loads, it is fixed by bolting or welding and most often does not require registration. An exception may be removable structures that are not attached to the load-bearing structural elements: removable luggage racks, bike racks, etc.

Installing a larger fuel tank

Vehicle Conversion Regulations state that fitting a larger fuel tank isconstructive change. In theory, this requires registration and registration, but the traffic police inspector simply will not be able to notice and identify this. In addition, if the tank is manufactured in compliance with technical requirements, then claims from the traffic police should not be expected. However, some car owners note that problems can arise when crossing the border, where customs authorities may consider that the driver is smuggling fuel.

Spoilers and body kits, bumpers

Tuning elements, including bumpers, spoilers and body kits that do not correspond to the structural elements of the manufacturing plant, must be registered. An exception can only be those tuning elements that are installed in the studio, with accreditation from the manufacturer. Moreover, driving without bumpers is also a violation, since the driver, by removing the bumper, makes a structural change to the car.

Responsibility

Now that you know what a vehicle conversion is, we can talk about liability for such a violation. Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for the main points. In particular, it is indicated that the fine for such a violation will be 500 rubles. However, only part of the design changes fall under this.

Those who like to install xenon headlights on a car where the manufacturer did not provide for such an opportunity may even lose their rights for a period of 6 months to a year. In this case, the headlights can be confiscated. Of course, under certainconditions in court, you can challenge such a decision of the traffic police inspector and reclassify such a violation under paragraph 1 - in accordance with it, a fine (500 rubles) is imposed on the violator.

Filing changes

Registering the conversion of vehicles is carried out in 6 stages:

1. Preliminary examination in progress. It will show whether it is possible or impossible to install certain equipment or structural elements. Only an accredited company can issue an opinion.
2. Filing an application for the conversion of a vehicle to the traffic police. The result of the examination must be attached to the application.
3. After that, you can begin to re-equip the machine. Depending on the conclusion, the conversion can be carried out either independently or in a special service.
4. After that, a technical inspection is carried out and a diagnostic card is drawn up.
5. Obtaining an examination protocol after changing the design of the transport.
6. Obtaining a certificate at the traffic police department.

Conclusion

After passing all these stages, the driver will be able to move freely in a car with a modified design, without fear of being fined for such a violation. This whole procedure is relatively complicated, so many owners simply don’t bother, because if the change in the car is subtle, then the traffic police inspector simply won’t know about it.