Vehicles with illegal modifications to undergo more frequent inspections

Vehicles with illegal modifications to undergo more frequent inspections

SINGAPORE - Motorists who are caught with illegally modified engines or exhaust systems in their vehicles for a second or subsequent time will be subjected to more frequent mandatory vehicle inspections, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Wednesday (Oct 28). 

This will take effect from Nov 1. 

Under this enhanced inspection regime, second-time offenders will be required to bring their vehicles for mandatory inspections every six months for a period of two years, while third-time or subsequent offenders will need to bring their vehicles for mandatory inspections every three months for a period of two years. 

By comparison, normal vehicles are typically inspected once every one or two years, depending on their age and type.

Owners who do not comply with the inspection regime can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed for up to three months on conviction for the first offence, the LTA said. The maximum penalty will be doubled for second or subsequent offences. 

The penalties of the enhanced inspection regime will be on top of the existing penalties to deter motorists from modifying their vehicle engines or exhaust systems illegally. Anyone convicted of an illegal modification can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months for the first offence. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months.

In addition, any vehicle found with a tampered engine will need to be de-registered and the owner may not be granted the rebates for the residual Certificates of Entitlement (COE) and Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF), if any, said the LTA. 

After-market exhaust systems may only be installed after they are certified to be suitable for the specific vehicle make and model of the vehicle. More information on vehicle modification guidelines can be found here

maryanns@sph.com.sg

 

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