Overview of Vehicle Modifications and Regulatory Compliance
Users may install an audio system, remove interior panels, replace covers or select finishing materials as long as the overall seat and dashboard shapes are preserved and airbag deployment zones remain accessible. Wind deflectors on the hood and side windows, mud flaps, and a certified roof rack are permissible if the vehicle has rails appropriate for such equipment, according to Avtodom guidance.
Installing unauthorized special lights or audible signals can lead to significant penalties. Infringements may result in a 12 to 18 month driver’s license suspension, while red warning lights on headlights could trigger a four to six month driving ban. These penalties are designed to deter unsafe signaling modifications and ensure visibility compliance.
It is illegal to apply an “Invalid” sticker or use a taxi-like color scheme on a passenger vehicle in ways that may mislead or misrepresent the vehicle’s status. Violations carry fines of 5,000 rubles.
Registration with the traffic police is mandatory for several types of equipment and structural modifications. These include gas equipment, aerodynamic kits, custom wheel sizes, towing devices, reinforcing structures, a supporting trunk, and advertising structures. Proper registration helps verify safety and roadworthiness for any changes.
Modifications to key components such as bumpers, the body, seats, lighting, suspension, engine, transmission, steering, or the exhaust system should not be performed without official permission from the relevant authorities. Unauthorized alterations may require removal or rectification through a formal process.
fines and compliance
If changes are made without traffic police registration, a fine of 500–800 rubles is issued, with a requirement to correct the illegal tuning within 10 days. If the corrective steps are not completed, the fine can rise to 5,000 rubles. Prolonged noncompliance may even threaten deregistration of the vehicle.
A note on sources: FINE.
Photo: social network [citation: Avtodom and related traffic regulations references]
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