Is it legal to modify the horn of a sedan?
3 Answers
Modifying the horn of a sedan is illegal, as it constitutes unauthorized vehicle modification, and the vehicle will not pass the annual inspection. The regulations for vehicle annual inspection are as follows: 1. For passenger vehicles used for commercial purposes, inspections must be conducted once a year within the first 5 years, and every 6 months thereafter; 2. For cargo vehicles and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles, inspections must be conducted once a year within the first 10 years, and every 6 months thereafter. The items inspected during the annual inspection include: 1. Checking whether the engine, chassis, body, and their attached equipment are clean, complete, and functional, whether the paint is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether major assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records; 2. Verifying whether the vehicle's braking system, lights, exhaust, and other safety features comply with relevant regulations; 3. Checking whether the vehicle has undergone modifications, alterations, or transformations, and whether the registration details on the driving license, license plate, and vehicle records match the actual condition of the vehicle; 4. Inspecting whether the license plate, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether they need replacement.
Last year, I wanted to replace my car's horn because the stock one was too weak and didn't effectively alert other vehicles while driving. After researching online, I realized this requires careful consideration, as regulations vary significantly between cities. For example, some major cities have noise restriction laws, limiting horn volume to no more than 90 decibels—anything beyond that counts as illegal modification. Additionally, modifications must be registered with the vehicle management office to pass annual inspections. A mechanic I consulted mentioned that many people run into trouble by casually installing air horns, facing fines of 200 yuan or even penalty points if caught by the police. Noise pollution also strains neighborly relations—my neighborhood has one guy with a modified horn whose constant honking at night annoys everyone. Safety is another concern, as excessively loud horns can startle pedestrians and cause accidents. In short, always check local regulations before modifying your horn, and using a decibel meter for testing is the safest approach.
As a car enthusiast, I believe modifying the horn can give the vehicle more personality, and a cooler sound makes it stand out. But when it comes to legality, it's not a black-and-white issue. From a legal perspective, traffic regulations generally require non-OEM horns to comply with national noise standards, otherwise, they're considered violations. I recall reading reports that cities like Beijing and Shanghai strictly enforce these rules, and if tests show excessive noise, the horn must be restored to original. In practice, the type of replacement also varies in risk: air horns are more likely to exceed decibel limits, while electronic horns are somewhat safer. But don't just dive into modifications—assess the risks beforehand. For example, improper installation might damage the electrical system, leading to major issues. Online forums share experiences, advising beginners to test decibel levels before installation to avoid being pulled over by traffic police later. Overall, consulting professionals helps avoid pitfalls.
