How Can a Self-Built Car Be Allowed on the Road?
2 Answers
A self-built car must pass the national design finalization inspection and production finalization inspection, be included in the national motor vehicle sales catalog, and complete the licensing procedures to obtain a driving license before it can be driven on the road. Below is relevant information about cars: 1. Overview: According to the latest national standard in China, 'Terms and Definitions of Types of Automobiles and Trailers' (GB/T-3730-1-2001), a car is defined as follows: A vehicle powered by a motor, with four or more wheels, not running on rails, mainly used for carrying passengers and/or goods; towing vehicles carrying passengers and/or goods. 2. Classification: Passenger cars: Passenger cars are primarily designed and technically characterized for carrying passengers and their personal belongings and/or temporary items, including the driver's seat, with no more than nine seats in total. Passenger cars are divided into the following 11 types. Mainly including: standard passenger cars, convertible passenger cars, luxury passenger cars, compact passenger cars, roadsters, hatchback passenger cars, station wagons, multi-purpose passenger cars, forward control passenger cars, off-road passenger cars, and special-purpose passenger cars; Commercial vehicles: Commercial vehicles are designed and technically characterized for transporting passengers and goods and can tow trailers, but passenger cars are not included. Mainly including: buses, semi-trailer tractors, and trucks.
Building a car by yourself and getting it road-legal is actually quite complex. I've seen many examples from DIY car enthusiasts. First, you need to ensure the vehicle meets safety standards, which requires comprehensive testing by professional institutions, such as mandatory indicators like braking distance and headlight brightness. Then, there's the environmental aspect to handle—emission standards are strictly enforced nowadays, so your self-assembled engine must pass the inspection line. Material preparation is also crucial; you'll need to gather invoices for all purchased car parts and complete vehicle design blueprints. Finally, take these documents along with the test reports to the DMV for registration, where they'll conduct on-site verification of details like the chassis number and engine number. Even if everything goes smoothly, the entire process can take up to two months, with costs mainly concentrated in testing and paperwork. I genuinely recommend understanding all these requirements thoroughly before starting your car-building project.