Car Modification Rules in the UAE: What You Need to Know
Introduction
For a long time, the process of car modification in the UAE has lacked clear rules and guidelines. Some emirates have been more lenient than others regarding the list of permissible modifications. To standardize the process, enhance road user safety, and ensure that car enthusiasts comply with the law, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), in collaboration with the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), has implemented new regulations. These regulations mandate specific standards for car modifications.
Car Modification Regulations
The new regulations apply to all vehicles except for motorcycles, trailers, caravans, and tractors, and include:
- Modifications to high-performance engines and braking systems.
- Front protection bars, chassis modifications, suspension systems, and exhaust systems.
- Modifications to the transmission, fuel additives, air filters, and ignition systems.
- Wheels and tires.
- Engine air distribution systems.
- Modifications to bumpers, seats, lights, and entertainment systems are exempt from the new law.
Official Statements
Tariq Al Amiri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, stated: "Previously, the process was unregulated, and cars could be stopped at any moment by the police for alleged illegal modifications. The process needs to be balanced— a car designed to handle 200 horsepower cannot manage 1,000 horsepower after modifications. We also need to ensure the quality of work and that the fuel used is safe to prevent disasters."
To obtain a modification license, owners must have their cars inspected at the testing center launched at Yas Marina Circuit. The center will begin inspecting vehicles in a few weeks, and an official document will be issued approving or rejecting the modifications, which will then be certified by ESMA.
Mohammed bin Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and former UAE rally champion, expressed his gratitude, stating: "I have also modified cars, but there was confusion about what is allowed and what is not. Drivers should not view this as a restriction but rather as an opportunity to express their passion within legal and safety boundaries."
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Those who fail to comply with the new regulations will face imprisonment or fines of no less than 30,000 AED, and unauthorized parts will be confiscated. It is noteworthy that the same penalties will apply to anyone who presents, offers, or sells an unapproved product.
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