Legal requirements on the modification of vehicles

Section 12 of the Road Transport Act 1897 stipulates the legal requirements on any modification to a vehicle before and after its registration:
Inspection of motor vehicles and information to the Director-General

1. The Director-General or a director may at any time before registration of a motor vehicle require the motor vehicle to be brought to any convenient place specified by him and to be inspected and, if necessary, to be weighed and measured and after registration may at any time require a motor vehicle to be brought as aforesaid if he has reason to believe:-

i. that the motor vehicle does not comply with the requirements of this Act;
ii. that any information furnished to him in respect of the motor vehicle is false, incorrect or misleading;
iii. that the motor vehicle is not in a serviceable condition; or
iv. that the weight, dimension, character, construction, colour, identifying particulars or seating accommodation has been altered after the registration thereof.

2. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall forthwith inform the Director in writing of any circumstance or event which affects the accuracy of any entry in the register relating to the motor vehicle, and shall at the same time forward or deliver to the Director the registration certificate relating to such motor vehicle.

3. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall, whenever required by the Director to do so:-

i. forthwith furnish to the Director all such information as he may require for the purpose of verifying the entries relating to such motor vehicle in the register; and

ii. forthwith forward or deliver to the Director the registration certificate relating to such motor vehicle.

4. After a motor vehicle has been inspected, weighed or measured under subsection (1), or upon receipt of any information or proof furnished in respect of a motor vehicle under subsection (2) or (3), the Director may make such amendments in the register and in the registration certificate relating to such motor vehicle as he may consider necessary, and shall return the registration certificate to the registered owner.

5. Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any requirement of the Director-General or a director under subsection (1) or under subsection (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence.

Minor modifications or installation of accessories that are allowed without prior approval from the RTD.


There are modifications or installation of accessories that can be done without prior approval from the Director-General of the RTD, particularly modifications or fittings that do not affect the character, stability and safety of the vehicle:-

1. Installation of air spoiler at the front and rear.
2. Installation of side skirt, aerofoil and door visor on a car.
3. Installation of protecting guards at the front and rear of a car.
4. Minor modifications on the radiator grilles, bonnet or the shape and design of the lights.
5. Modification or installation of bigger bumpers (steel or fibreglass) at the front and rear.
6. Installation of bigger rims and tyres.
7. Installation of carrier brackets.
8. Installation of additional brake light (red) or signal lights (amber).
9. Installation of spot lights or halogen lights (both white and yellow) at the front only, in addition to existing lights.
10. Installation of wind shield, fibreglass lamp cover and fibreglass engine cover on front part of motorcycle where the accessories are not protruding out of the ends of the motorcycle handles.



Note

The abovementioned list will be amended from time to time. However, minor modifications and the installation of accessories must comply with the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 or Motor Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Rules 1988.
For example:-



1. If an air spoiler, aerofoil or side skirt is installed, it must not exceed 155 mm measured from the outer edge of the rear wheel.



2. If a door visor is installed, it must not exceed 100 mm in width and height.



3. If bigger rims or wider tyres are used, they must be completely covered by mudguards or mudflaps.

4. If protecting guards are installed, they must not cover the vehicle headlights. Sharp edges or protruding parts must not exceed 100 mm. In addition, the overall width must not exceed the original width of the car.



5. If bigger bumpers or protecting guards are installed, the addition at the front and rear must not exceed 50% of the wheelbase of the vehicle.

6. The distance between the headlights and signal lights must not exceed 300 mm and 400 mm respectively, measured from the widest part of the body after modification.


7. If a carrier bracket is installed, it must not exceed the length of the roof, or the width of the vehicle or the height of 400 mm, measured from highest point of the bracket.

Installation of accessories that are not allowed.

1. Blinking lights (other than signal lights and hazard lights) at the front or rear of the car.
2. Installation of blue, violet or green lights.
3. Installation of musical horns or two-toned horns.
4. Installation of spot lights at the rear of the car.
5. Installation of tinted glass or coloured material on the front windscreen, rear windscreen and side windows which permit less than 70% light transmission.

Note: Note: However, the use of tinted glass or coloured material on the uppermost part of the front windscreen, i.e. 20% of its width, and quarter windows is allowed. The above list may be amended from time to time.


Types of modifications that require prior approval from the RTD

If the modification and installation of accessories result in significant changes to the shape, measurement, stability, safety as well as the original character of the motor vehicle, written permission must be obtained in advance from the RTD. For example:-

1. Modification to the monocoque frame of a motor vehicle.
2. Modification to the original shape or character of the vehicle.
3. Modification from a saloon car to a convertible.
4. Modification to the fuel system.
5. Modification to the brake system.
6. Modification to the steering system.
7. Modification to the wheelbase of the vehicle.
8. The use of a fibreglass body to replace a steel body.
9. Change of engine.
10. Installation of sunroof.

Untuk pengubahsuaian di atas atau yang sama dengannya, permohonan hendaklah dikemukakan kepada:-



For the above or similar modifications, applications must be submitted to:-
Director,
Technical Regulatory Division,
Road Transport Department,
Level 2, Block D4, Parcel D,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62620 Putrajaya



Perkara-perkara yang perlu disertakan bersama permohonan, antaranya ialah:-

1. Complete plan which shows in detail the modifications to be made including the measurements and the steps to be followed.
Technical specifications relating to the modifications.

2. Where applicable, certificate or letter of confirmation from a professional engineer (mechanical/automotive engineering) which states and confirms that the design and modifications that will be done on the vehicle are stable and safe to be used.

3. Details of the vehicle to be modified.

Any modification that may affect the stability of the vehicle or that may cause the vehicle to become dangerous when used on the road will not be allowed.

SORRY IN ENGLISH

hihihihi...thanks 4 da info bro..its very useful info..anyone who want to change enjin or modifiying their car can read 4 this info 1st t mke sure that its is not illegal,,