A cop's view on modified vehicles
 

Hello, I'm a previous vancouver RS'er now relocated in Taiwan. When i decided that I want to come back to Asia, i was originally expecting this place to be more tolerable to modifications since this is kind of the origin of many parts, but so far 6 years have past, local enthusiasts are still trying hard to draw the fine line between vehicle enthusiasts, and street racers. Trying hard to "legalize" vehicle modifications, since we got yearly inspection on vehicles over 5 years old, and with engine code, and body panel codes registered on computers, there are no way any engine swaps remain undiscovered, typically you give up your vehicle registration and just drive it with a different plate, There are absolutely zero tolerance to modded vehicles here, and we get a bad name to drive in a civic, or a subaru, if you get spotted by a road stop with vehicle inspection personnel on site driving such vehicle, you will most likely be order to pop the hood, basically any modification is not allowed. I still remember when I was driving in Vancouver, cops sometimes pull me over for speeding, once a while for noise, but never did the authority purposely try to crack down modified vehicles.. i guess my question is, is it actually legal? or ok to modified and engine swap a vehicle in Vancouver (Canada)?:badpokerface:

And that's why I live in a (mostly) free country.

Don't worry, it's just a matter of time before those invasive regulations make their way here.

Not 100% sure, but I think engine swaps are legal here, but you have to declare your vehicle to ICBC as a rebuild.

Like I said, not 100% sure. Just going by what I was told a long time ago when I was still into modding my car. Those days are over for me now. haha

back in the early to mid 2000's RCMP/VPD used to go around at car shows looking for the vin number on motors and checking to see if it came from a stolen vehicle and if it did the car was impounded on the spot.

^ that's actually a good idea.

As far as modding goes, we have it infinitely easier than Australia and Germany, and it sounds like Taiwan as well. Yet people still bitch and moan all the time.

Came here expecting a POV on modified vehicles from a current or past police officer...

wow, so its actually not bad as long as we stick to the regulations then. Just last night we got a huge road block set up at a major 4 way intersection, and no matter which way you turn, there is a road block with inspection personal.. alot of cars were busted for aftermarket exhaust, this is not a meet or anything like that, no one was "gunning" or "revving" their motors. Same day the government tries to remind its citizens that any modification done that cost over approx. $300USD will need to be taxed 15%, while all the parts were already taxed during the importing process.. basically we got huge ass malls that sell exhaust, coilovers, seats, engine mods and chips, we pay tax on them, gets government receipts, but once installed, they become illegal at yearly inspections..

I agree we have it super easy. Most of the stories I hear from people are about window tint and front license plates. Like are you fucking kidding me? Don't tint your front windows, and put on your front plate, it's not that fucking hard. In return you can almost do anything else you want to your car without being bothered.

All the other stories I have heard are from people running around with 15 degrees of negative camber, or trucks with the wheels sticking 10" beyond the fenders, light bars in bad positions, or cars that are so loud that even at idle they are beyond obnoxious.

If you keep your mods within reason, we live in seriously one of the most tolerable places for modding.

my bad haha

If you plan on modifying your vehicle you should take a good look at the Provincial Inspection manual as used at inspection stations....and the MV Act and Regulations. The latter 2 are available on line, the manual would possibly be available at a library...or maybe an inspection station would let you see their copy. I no longer have my copy to refer to.


In very general terms, IF you modify stock vehicles/equipment, the replacement parts must be equal to the ones you are removing...AND must meet federal standards. Aftermarket HID replacement "kits" are not legal, removing shocks & springs to replace them with airbags, overwattage headlight bulbs, spring chopping that makes your car lower than the rims, exhaust systems that remove factory cats etc are, in general terms not legal.

If you get stopped with A NON-COMPLIANT VEHICLE you can get one of 3 levels of inspection order...#1-car off the road right there, #2-30 days to pass an inspection, #3 report in within the time specified....AND/OR violation ticket/s for any or all of the modifications.

The MV Act permits Police to check your car and/or have it sent for an official inspection. Failing to comply with the inspection order means a $598 VT and a tow job. Traffic Memebers are more likely to check your vehicle, as that is part of their job description, but any Police may stop you and check. If you draw their attention by the way you drive, the way the car looks as it appears to have possible illegal modifications etc, you are more likely to enter this process. That is my perspective....a fruit explosion muffin and a doubledouble are now calling my name, my work here is done. Hi Ho Silver, Away!!

I would then, as a purchaser...and this in mind..
Sale of motor vehicle contrary to regulations
222 A person must not sell, offer for sale, expose or display for sale or deliver over to a purchaser for use a motor vehicle, trailer or equipment for them that is not in accordance with this Act and the regulations.


ask them what they are going to do about it? Did they tell you it was legal for on-road use? Did they say it's probably OK? Did they say it is NOT legal to use on a "highway"?

He's in Taiwan now. The MVA doesn't apply to him there. ;)

I guess my daily incidentals of about $100 a day and Fed Gov hotel rates would not cover my trip there.....but his question about engine swaps in Van probably had some local interest. :)

Engine swaps are actually quite common here, and in most of North America. I don't know if it's as common in the performance car world, but with older Jeeps especially, engine upgrades are very popular - going from the stock 2.5L four-banger to something in a V6, V8, or even a small diesel, is done regularly.

I don't know what the regs or inspection manual have to say about it, but I know plenty of guys who have been handed VIs for their built rigs (usually things like tires sticking out too far, no mudflaps, uncovered light bars) and had to fix all kinds of "major" things like replacing the sway bars they removed, cracked frames, rusted bodies, electrical/lighting gremlins... and not once have I heard of anyone being dinged for not having the original engine.

I believe that raising or lowering vehicle
Height by more than 10cms requires a mandatory inspection.

Most of those stores now have disclaimers stating that what they are selling may not be legal to be used on the street. So basically, if you still buy from them, you've been warned not to use it on the street.

There are no labels or anything that states off road use only, and there are absolutely no measurements of "loud" in terms of exhaust noise, some factory scooter makes way more sound with their little motor.. :yuno:

The thing is, these huge malls are properly registered and are legal to operate, sell, install for their customers, however, nothing is guaranteed to be ok when you get busted on the road, even if you get them installed and paid taxes at a legal store.. I'm actually running a fan site about trying to legalize some modifications here in Taiwan, especially when we get cars that dont come with enough safety equipments on the car such as VDC, TCS etc.

The worse thing is that we get undercover cops coming into local hellaflush meets to video tape cars and mail out tickets afterwards.. just fishy!

honestly, when I was drove there for the 5-6 years, I had my car cambered out for that hellaflush look, I only got busted twice, one for a JIC single exhaust that idled way too loud, the other one was me being a little kid chasing after super cars at night and got spotted. Now, i get stopped and looked at by cops as if im criminals just cause i drive an EJ8 civic coupe, and this car is suppose to draw less attention compare to an impreza or EKs..

Just prejudice man.. this society

A lot of shops here either have a sign or a disclaimer on the receipts to that effect.

I'm trying to think of other industries where retailers are permitted to sell equipment that's illegal to use...

Have a read here........ it's American EPA but our government would probably follow along.

How One Proposed EPA Regulation Could Destroy Racing

How about all those hydroponic shops selling extremely expensive gear, lights etc to grow tomatoes ? :drunk:

Because the hydroponic equipment is for growing tomatoes, a perfectly legal activity. The illegal headlights are being sold for installation on a car which will inevitably be used on-road. Not legal.

There is a reason most all aftermarket parts here say " off road use only " lol

The headlights are completely legal to use off road, so it's not different than the "tomato" lights.

Sure, but who buys a HID retrofit kit to use exclusively off-road?