Modifying your automobile is the dream of many automobile followers, however in Hong Kong, modified autos should face strict supervision. In actual fact, so long as you abide by the related legal guidelines, it’s not out of attain to switch them in compliance with the rules. This time, Kuai Er Bao will talk about the newest authorized rules for modified automobiles in Hong Kong,Car InspectionDiscover,Insurance coverageKey factors that will help you drive your loved one Dream Automotive on the street elegantly and safely.
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Is it unlawful to switch a car in Hong Kong?
Sure and no. To start with, it’s not completely unlawful to switch a automobile. Nevertheless, the legal guidelines on modified automobiles in Hong Kong are a lot stricter than these in different international locations.Part 53 of the Street Site visitors Ordinance ‘No particular person shall alter or trigger or allow another particular person to change any motorcar or trailer in order to render it in such situation that it could, when used on a street, contravene any of the provisions of this Ordinance as to its development, weight, tools, brakes, steering wheel or tyres.’
That’s to say, if the modification you make to the car violates the street visitors rules, it’s an unlawful modification. But when the modified car nonetheless complies with the rules, it’s authorized.
In 2025, the legislation was amended and relaxed, corresponding to requiring LED headlights to fulfill the requirements and in-car show units that may solely be used when parking, which might be mentioned to be in keeping with worldwide requirements.
There are literally detailed rules on the legality of modifications in several classes.
Some modification examples
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Modification class
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Authorized necessities
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Is it essential to report back to the Transport Division?
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Shock absorbers, rims/tires
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The car physique peak can’t exceed the usual, the wheel arch can’t protrude, and the supplies/specs should adjust to the legislation
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Prior notification and doc conserving required
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Dying Throat
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Can not protrude from the car physique/be too lengthy and can’t add noise, should meet emission and noise requirements
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Sure conditions require reporting
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Tires, brakes
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Solely use authentic specs or licensed substitute components
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Usually required to report
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engine
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Solely the identical mannequin and displacement are allowed to get replaced, and different sorts are nearly not possible to approve
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Have to be declared and explicitly accepted
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Audio/Automotive cam
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The show display can solely play pictures when the automobile is parked, and may solely be used for navigation or reversing when driving.
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No declaration is required however should adjust to the legislation
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Headlights
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From 2025, it’s authorized to switch LED lights (specs have to be marked and verified in Hong Kong)
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For prime-end automobile gentle modification, please seek the advice of the unique producer and the Transport Division.
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How do I do know if a modification is unlawful?
To know whether or not the modification is authorized, the best approach is to consult with the Transport Division’s ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ Checklist and ‘Tips for adjustments requiring prior discover’. It is suggested that when making main modifications, you need to first acquire written permission from the car producer after which report the upcoming works to the Transport Division. If the police suspect {that a} car is supplied with unlawful components, they’ve the fitting to request the related automobile to be despatched to the inspection heart for inspection at any time. Violators could also be fined greater than 10,000 yuan, and even ordered to revive the car to its authentic situation or bear a ‘fats man’ inspection.
How do the police and insurance coverage corporations know if a car has been modified?
After all, the police and insurance coverage corporations can’t be knowledgeable instantly after the modification is accomplished. Some Hong Kong automobile house owners will add unlawful components or modify the automobile with out notifying the car producer.
Though the Transport Division’s pointers state that ‘the engine could also be changed with that of the identical make, mannequin and measurement. Different modifications is not going to usually be accepted except very robust documentary proof is offered,’ when you seek for ‘modified engine’ on Google, you’ll nonetheless discover many related search outcomes.
Though it’s straightforward to switch your automobile in Hong Kong, it really entails sure dangers. If the police suspect that your automobile has been illegally modified or has been put in with unlawful components, which can violate any street visitors rules, they’ve the fitting to require you to ship your automobile to the Car Testing Centre beneath the Transport Division for inspection at any time.
We’ve got just lately obtained a number of circumstances the place automobile house owners had been stopped by police at roadblocks whereas driving modified automobiles. The police suspected that the automobiles had been modified and requested the house owners to ship their automobiles to the testing heart for inspection. In the long run, the house owners had been fined almost $15,000 as a result of the put in components had been unlawful.
Different dangers related to modified autos embrace the safety offered by auto insurers and insurance coverage for modified autos.
Can modified automobiles be coated by insurance coverage corporations?
Any illegally modified car is not going to be coated beneath any circumstances. A legally modified car is probably not coated, relying on the phrases of the insurance coverage firm and the insurance coverage plan you buy. Most insurance coverage corporations would require you to offer a listing of modifications and all put in components earlier than signing the coverage. The insurance coverage firm will then determine on a case-by-case foundation whether or not to cowl the modified components of the automobile – primarily relying on the dangers related to the modification. It must be famous that after a automobile has been modified, the premium you want to pay will typically be larger.
If you have already got automobile insurance coverage and later want to make modifications to your automobile, we advocate that you just contact your insurance coverage firm first and inform them in regards to the adjustments you plan to make. Most insurance coverage corporations will add extra clauses to your coverage, assuming that each one components or modifications are authorized. These clauses will primarily checklist the quantity of canopy you’ll obtain for every modification, in addition to different particulars. Usually talking, this can improve your insurance coverage premiums.
Modified Elements and Accidents
We’ve got encountered clients who modified their autos with out informing the insurance coverage firm after buying automobile insurance coverage. That is really very dangerous, particularly if a visitors accident happens. First, the police might cost you with unlawful car modification; if convicted, the insurance coverage firm will more than likely refuse to pay any compensation, leaving you liable for all losses.
Furthermore, within the occasion of an accident, the insurance coverage firm will solely present compensation based mostly on the worth of the unique components of the automobile. For those who set up a $12,000 audio and leisure system, the insurance coverage firm will solely pay the price of the audio tools offered by the car producer, which is prone to be a lot lower than the worth of the audio system you put in.
After all, nobody needs the above state of affairs to occur. So, when you plan to switch your automobile, keep in mind to contact your insurance coverage firm first to debate the main points. Quick Insurance coverage cannot solely offer you help, but in addition advocate probably the most appropriate insurance coverage plan in your legally modified car.
Regularly Requested Questions on Modified Autos
Are modified autos not coated?
Illegally modified autos will certainly not be insured. Legally modified autos may additionally not be insured, relying on the phrases and insurance coverage of every insurance coverage firm.
If an accident causes harm to a modified car, how will compensation be calculated?
The quantity of compensation will likely be based mostly on the worth of the unique components. Even when you set up a stereo price over 10,000 yuan, the insurance coverage firm will nonetheless solely assess and pay the declare based mostly on the worth of the unique components.
