Vehicle owners may modify their vehicles for many reasons. Whatever the reason may be, be it to improve the vehicle's performance or to create a distinctive or customised appearance, it is important to ensure that the modifications meet the requirements of the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

LTA has a set of guidelines for vehicle modifications to ensure that standards for road safety and vehicle exhaust gas and noise emissions are not compromised, for the benefits of vehicle owners, other road users and our environment.

Prospective owners of second hand vehicles are also advised to seek independent assessment to check that the modifications are legal before committing on the purchase. Assessment services are available at LTA's authorised vehicle inspection centres.

In general, the common vehicle modifications can be broadly categorised as follows:

• Vehicle modifications that are allowed
• Vehicle modifications that require LTA's approval
• Vehicle modifications that are not allowed

However, it is necessary to note that this list is not exhaustive. For further advice and clarification on specific vehicle modifications, vehicle owners can write in to the Vehicle Engineering (VE) Division of LTA at 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701. Alternatively, you may also contact our officers at 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255 582) for further assistance on vehicle modifications.

NOTE:

1) The General Insurance Association of Singapore would like to advise motorists to notify and declare to their respective motor insurers any modifications (including those approved by the Land Transport Authority) made to their vehicles. Failure to do so may result in the declining of claims in the event of an accident and the motor insurance policy considered void on the grounds of non-disclosure.

2) The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) would like to inform you that with effect from 1 April 2012, the use of Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants in vehicle air-conditioning systems shall be disallowed. For more details, you may wish to refer to SCDF's circular at http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/building-professionals/publications_and_circulars.html