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Banned Vehicle Modifications

Most of these modifications are banned as they can be a nuisance and a potential threat to the safety of fellow motorists, passengers and pedestrians.

Thus, altering the nature of certain automotive components can not only impact your car insurance, but get you into serious trouble with Singapore’s strict traffic laws as well.
 

banned vehicle modifications
 

The checklist of banned vehicle modifications includes:

  • Air horns
  • Crash bars
  • Daytime Running Lamps
  • Decorative Lamps
  • Engine Capacity
  • Headlights
  • Nitrous Injection Devices
  • Spot lamps
  • Tinting or Masking of Vehicle Lights
  • Tow Hooks

Air Horns

Owing to the shrill noise that they make, the usage of air horns (or modifying of existing ones) is prohibited.
 

Crash Bars (including bull bars and kangaroo bars)

Crash bars protect vehicles in the event of a collision with large animals. They are meant primarily for vehicles that operate beyond urban areas.

Crash bars are banned in Singapore as they can aggravate injuries to pedestrians and motorcyclists in case of an accident.
 

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

Only ‘factory-fitted’ Daytime Running Lamps are permitted on Singapore’s roads. Aftermarket DRL kits have the potential to cause glare and distract other motorists, and are thus not allowed.

Decorative Lamps

Decorative lamps can cause confusion and distract other motorists around the modified vehicle. Examples of decorative lamps include neon lights on the undercarriage, wiper washer LEDs and flashing lights that are not usually a part of the vehicle.

Engine Capacity

Increasing the capacity of a car engine through methods such as enlarging the cylinder bore of the engine greatly heightens the odds of engine failure. This form of vehicle modification can also impact the safety and emission features of the car, and is therefore prohibited.
 

Headlights

Only factory-fitted High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps are permitted as they comply with international safety standards. Aftermarket HID kits can cause glare and are therefore not allowed in Singapore.

Replacement bulbs for headlights have to adhere to specifications laid down by the vehicle manufacturer. Bulbs of a higher wattage can cause fires, owing to the increased current that is required to power them.
 

Nitrous Injection Devices

As the name suggests, NIDs introduce highly reactive nitrogen oxide into the combustion chamber. This enables faster fuel combustion that leads to greater acceleration and speed. However, NIDs can cause premature engine failureand also affect the safety and emissions of the vehicle. They are thus banned under Singaporean law.
 

Spot Lamps

A spot lamp is useful when one is driving in areas with poor or no lighting. Its light beam is brighter and more focused compared to the diffused beam of a fog lamp.

The use of spot lamps is not permitted in Singapore as their strong beams can cause glare and distract other motorists. If a vehicle has been fitted with spot lamps, then they must be kept covered at all times.
 

Tinting or masking of Vehicle Lights

Any modification to the standard lights of a vehicle that adversely affects its performance is prohibited. The headlights, taillights and brake lights are all required to comply with international safety standards.
 

Tow Hooks

Many vehicles come equipped with ‘tow points’ to aid recovery. However, tow hooks that protrude too much are not allowed as their sharp ends can aggravate injuries to pedestrians or motorcyclists in case of an accident.