You know that absolutely sick spoiler you put on your Fiat Punto after you watched Fast & the Furious 8? Yeah, you might want to get rid of that. According to reports from UAE newspaper, The National, a brand new set of rules restricting the modification of cars have now been introduced to the Emirates.
Working under cabinet decision 45 of 2016, these rules (which came into effect from June 1, 2017) intend to restrict how much motorists can alter their existing vehicles. Failure to comply with these new laws could even result in you facing some genuine jail time as well as a possible AED30,000 minimum fine. Any extra items that also fail to meet the new standards will be confiscated.
The kind of modified car parts that now require approval include everything from the car’s engine to the vehicle wheel rims. Anyone who owns an existing modified car will have to apply for a certificate of approval from the Emirates Authority For Standardisation & Metrology.
This news has also come at just about the right time considering that the country’s first inspection centre for modified vehicles in Abu Dhabi was officially launched on Tuesday. Aimed at ensuring that all modified vehicles are safe and sound, this new centre, located at Yas Marina Circuit, will provide an official oversight on modified vehicles and let you know whether your vehicle is road legal or not.
With all that being said, the new rules currently exclude motorcycles, trailers, caravans and tractors. So feel free to pimp out your JCB.
