What Are the Legal Modification Scopes for Vehicles in 2021?
2 Answers
2021 legal vehicle modification scopes are as follows: Vehicle Appearance: Mainly includes methods such as changing the body color or applying body wraps. The vehicle must undergo color change registration at the DMV within 10 days after the modification, with new license photos taken and the vehicle license replaced. However, three specific colors are prohibited: fire engine red (R03 bright red), administrative law enforcement vehicle color (white top with blue bottom), and engineering rescue yellow. Bumpers: Front and rear bumpers are highly important components of a vehicle, and modifications must not alter the vehicle's length or width. Wheels: When modifying wheels, it's crucial to note that the size of the rims cannot be changed, as altering rim size affects the vehicle's power and performance, constituting an illegal modification. However, replacing rims of the same size is permitted. Chassis Suspension: Chassis suspension is another common modification project. Strictly speaking, chassis modifications are typically chosen by owners with high demands on vehicle performance. Enhancing chassis rigidity significantly improves handling performance. Normally, modifications involving chassis suspension can pass annual inspections. Suspension modifications include replacing shock absorbers, reinforcing suspension structural components, and enhancing body rigidity, with shock absorbers being the primary factor affecting the modification project.
Last year, I modified my car by changing the body color from silver to blue and adding some personalized wraps. I followed the regulations and went to the DMV for registration, which went smoothly. Legal modifications mainly cover the exterior, such as changing the rims, but they must maintain the original factory size. For the interior, seats and steering wheels can be upgraded, but safety devices cannot be removed. Performance modifications should be approached with caution—only minor changes like replacing the air filter are allowed. Modifying the engine or exhaust to increase noise is strictly illegal. Lighting upgrades are permitted; LED lights are fine as long as their brightness and color comply with regulations and aren’t glaring. When driving, always remember to register major modifications; otherwise, you might fail the annual inspection or face fines. Overall, modifications can make your car more unique, but safety comes first—avoid overly extreme changes.
