In January 2019, the Supreme Court of India made vehicle modification illegal. However, not all kinds of alterations to your car is against the law. You can make some changes to your ride, without being an outlaw. So here let us take a look at some vehicle modifications that are de jure.
Read: Car Modifications In India | Legal Vs Illegal
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Upgrading the Tyres
You are within your legal rights to upgrade your tyres as long as the new set of tyres comply with the stipulations of the manufacturer. But, while upsizing tyres, you should get ones with the same or higher speed rating and load index than the stock tyres. If the new tyres have a larger section width, you will have to decrease the sidewall height. Also, you can get different type and compound of tyre for your vehicle.
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Repainting (Changing the Colour)
You are allowed to repaint your car in the colour of your choice. But it is necessary to get the pain modifications approved by the RTO. Your vehicle’s RC book should reflect the changes you make to vehicle colour. However, refrain from getting your car painted in Army Green. India reserves Olive Green for military use only.
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Body Wrapping
A Body-Wrap will not do any damage to your car’s paint job. In contrast, a vinyl wrap can protect the factory paint. This car modification might cost you anything from 10,000 to a lakh rupee. But if applied well a body wrap can last more than 5 years.
Vinyl wrapping your car is perfectly legal. Besides, you don’t even need to get it pre and post approved by the RTO like in the case of a veritable paint change.
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Suspension Upgrade
You can get a better suspension for your car which would enhance the quality of your drive. But lowering the car too much can be a problem. So would increasing the ride height by several inches.
Modifications like installing anti-roll bars can reduce body roll while making turns. This means a more stable ride. You can also upgrade to coil overs and aftermarket shocks which improve suspension, increase stability and reduce body roll.
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Window Tinting
In 2012, the Supreme Court of the country banned heavily tinted windshield and vehicle windows. Since tinted glasses makes being inside a car in summer more tolerable, they become more or less indispensable. Therefore, most of us look for ways around this law. Also, cars like Maruti Suzuki Baleno, come with UV tinted glass as stock.
Related: 8 Easy Car Modifications you can do to make your car Faster
It is still permissible – according to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1998 – to use tint that let more than 80% of light through (to be on the safer side). You should stay away from darker sun films that do not comply with this.
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Modification for the Differently-Abled
Acclimatizing vehicles for those who are differently-abled would let them drive on their own and be self-reliant. Fitting adapted mirrors, wheelchair lifts, automatic or hand-operated clutch, accelerator or brakes and similar customizations can make a vehicle suitable for them. Any car, from Alto, Swift and many others can be modified to fit folks who are physically challenged.
Related: 8 Easy Car Modifications you can do to make your car Faster
All this means you can make a lot of customizations to your car and still be within the bounds of the law. Therefore, you can do a lot with your car and make it your own as long as you are not turning into say, 230 inches long Batmobile.
All jokes aside, you can get minor enhancements to transform your car and give it an all-new look. As long as you keep the structure of the vehicle intact you are within your legal rights to do this. If in doubt be sure to check with your local authorities. But any modifications you make might affect the car’s warranty and insurance. Therefore, inform your insurance company about changes.
So yes, go ahead and get tinted glasses for your car. And don’t forget that batman Bumper sticker.
Read Next: Here Is A List Of Illegal Car Modifications In India
Looking to accessorise your car? Read: 10 Most Popular In-Demand Car Accessories Trending Right Now
Is car wrapping legal even if the colour on RC is not showing?
No this post is misleading, if you are changing the colour even by wraps, you need to get approval and modifications on the RC.
You can not change the colour .. Should keep only colour mentioned in RC.
is negative cambering legal in india?
We don’t think it’s illegal till the time, the safety of your vehicle is not affected.
My question here i am told by Traffic police we need to endorse the wrapped color on RC. And that is not allowed by RTO.
Yes, Wrapping any car a different shade other than the factory one will attract a fine or penalty. The law is a bit opaque on this kind of car modification.
Can I put a turbocharger on my existing car engine??
Can be done, but the costs will be overwhelming!
I want to convert my Swift in a convertible! Is it legal in India/Pondicherry/Chennai?
Yes, making any structural changes, and in this case, converting your Swift into a convertible is illegal and will attract legal action.
Can I convert my four door ride into coupe?
Any form of structural modification, especially converting a four-door car to a two-door is illegal and will attract cops.
Can I setup my Maruti Ecco as a demo center for the business I run? I mean, Can I fix some electrical products in the rear side of the ECCO after removing its back seat.. BTW my ECCO is registered under my name and not my company name.
Hi Fazil
First of all, you need a commercial registration for this. You can do modifications inside as you like but will have to get an RTO approval later on.
So,how does one go about requesting permission to change the colour of their car?…(was planning on getting dinting n painting done for my Baba in Orange colour)
Car is registered in MP,but I am in Goa,can it be done?
Hi Katherine! If you’re planning on changing the colour of your car, you will need to seek permission from the RTO where your vehicle is registered. Once permission is granted, you can change the colour of your car.
After changing the colour, you will need to drive to the RTO again to get your car inspected. After the inspection is done, the RTO will issue a new RC with the new colour mentioned.
Is changing my thar’s front bumper to small one illegal?
Hi Abhijit, it is not illegal but are you sure about the fittings?
I have a white seltos and I want to wrap(black) the roof to make it dual tone. Is it illegal?
Hi Pratha
You will have to get the same updated in your RC. Contact your RTO for the same
Can i modify honda civic into sports cars without exaust
Hi Shashidhara
You can do it. Install the body kits and go for cosmetic mods without any worries
The point about window tints is outdated. The 80% law is no more in force, and it was replaced by a complete ban on all kinds of films. Only factory-tinted glass are now allowed if the manufacturer provides one.
Is modifying interior of the car like changing it with leather finish illegal??
No it is completely legal Keshav!
im looking to wrap my car in a different colour such as grey in satin finish is that legal? will i be fine?
HEY Yash
You need to get the same updated in your RC
What if I change the roof color to block on my white car? do I need approval from RTO?
Yes, you will have to update the same o your car’s RC
What about fitting of off-road bumper?
Hi Kulo
This is not legal
Can I replace with a custom bumper?
Yes Sachin!
can i change engine of HM contessa
Hey Musab, replacing the original engine on the HM Contessa will require you to make changes to the RC. I recommend you to get in touch with your nearest RTO for more information.
Is it legal to change the interior of car into something luxury
Yes, you can change your car’s interior however you want it to be.
I am differently abled I want to modifiy santro xing 2015 model in automatic clutch system where it can be done in uttarpredesh or in delhi ncr. I belong to distt bijnor in northern up… What is d cost approx can ds same. kit may be used if vechile changed in future/
Hi Nishant
We are sorry but we don’t do these modifications here. Please ask your local workshops/car dealers. They may be able to help you out with this
Is it legal to convert a 2005 land cruiser into a 2020 land cruiser exterior
Hey Saleel!
Please contact your nearest RTO for the same
Is backfiring in car legal or not
Please reply
No Austin
It is not legal in India
I have new WagonR in magma grey colour I want to change the colour into superior white. So it’s is illegal??
Hey Aniket
You will have to get the colour change updated in your RC
Is bonnet mirror illegal?? In fortuner
Yes it is!
I will install Luxurious only two seats In place of 5 seater is Legal?
Hey Pravin, you can install replacement seats on your car, but make sure you don’t make any major structural changes to the vehicle.
I was to put racing stripes on the doors and hood. Is that legal in India? Specially in Bangalore?
Racing Strips won’t cause any problems and are legal as long as they don’t cover or change the colour of the car in any manner.
I want to change my car into vanity car
Sofa cum bed , TV, table , bar
And separate cabin
Iron wall between driver and passenger
It is legal all these changes in interior not in exterior
Hi Praveen
This is legal. Go Ahead
Any idea about roof carriers ? Any rules and regulations on this?
Cosmetic roof rails pose no problem in India. Moreover, if the carrier is of a functional type, make sure, you don’t make any major structural changes to the car.
Can I change the oem seats of a car?
Where I can find new seats for bolero?
Hey Abu
You can change the seats of your car. You can find the new seats at a scrapyard where old vehicles are purchased and scrapped
Hi Sir , Can I modified the Honda city normal body kit into sports kit
Yes, you can
If alteration from specification specified by manufacturer is not allowed? How come buses and trucks have increase height and body dimensions are allowed but smaller passengers cars face restrictions?
Hi Bijay
There are separate ground rules set for each vehicle’s modification!
Hello Team,
Can I modify/change the look of my car’s trunk/dikky? Location: Delhi
Thanks & Regards
Aakash
Hi Aakash
We would need to know the exact change you are looking at in order to answer this.
Hi Vishal, thanks for replying.
I’m looking forward if I can change my car’s trunk/dikky’s dimensions or shape And then repaint it to the car’s color. Or maybe replace the new Xcent’s Dikky with the old Xcent’s Dikky. Since old Xcent’s dikky looks so bad. T_T
Can i change the head of bike ..
Fir ex my head light is rectangle in shape and i want circular head light like bullet in my bike . So is it possible to modify it .
Hello Shri,
Yes, it is possible to do that. But it process of the modification varies with the motorcycle you want to do it on. Hope it helps, Stay Pinned!
Can I modify my old scorpio to look like new model of same brand
Hi Syed
Yes, you definitely can!
Is it legal to change my car colour which is perl white to matte white
Yes, it is legal to change your car’s colour. However, doing so requires you to follow a stringent procedure that includes permissions from the RTO, intimation to the insurance provider, etc.
Hi.. Just Enquiring.. Is It Officially Allowed To Modify Only From Inside Without Distrubing The Engine.. Electricals.. Chassis.. Body Color And Tyres For A Maruti Eeco To Travel Any Were Within “India”..
Hey Sanjay,
You’ll have to specify the type of modifications you are looking for, for your Eeco.
Can I modify my type 2 Fortuner to legender
yes
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