Before modifying a vehicle or buying a modified vehicle, it is good to know what is allowed and what is prohibited to avoid problems and disappointment.
Esthetics and performance are fine. But not at any cost!
You may modify a car or a motorcycle to improve its appearance or performance.
Once all the modifications have been made, you are required to check with us to make sure your vehicle is safe and compliant with the Highway Safety Code to be authorized for road use.
What the law says (for a motor vehicle designed to be operated on a public roadway)
Unless otherwise approved by us, it is prohibited to modify:
the chassis
the body
any of the mechanisms
any other component that may convert such a vehicle into another type of vehicle if the modifications are likely to reduce the vehicle's stability or braking capacity
Prohibition from modifying scooters
Modifying a moped or scooter to improve its performance (speed) is prohibited.
Examples of what is permitted
Installing:
bigger tires and rims
a lift kit
larger diameter rims
a set of springs that are shorter than the original springs
springs and shock absorbers
Replacing:
shock absorbers with high-performance shock absorbers
headlights, lights and reflectors with parts that comply with SAE standards
seats, provided that the original seats are not equipped with airbags
the bumper shell, provided the replacement shell is made of a similar material as the original
Adding:
a 4- or 5-point harness
a wing or spoiler, or stylized side skirts
Examples of what is prohibited
Heating, bending, cutting or welding the various components of the steering system.
Carrying out any welding work on, or making any changes to, the chassis.
Using springs that have been cut, heated or bundled.
Lowering the vehicle to the point where the tires touch any part of the vehicle, or to the point where any part of the body or chassis touches the roadway under normal driving conditions.
Not complying with the vehicle manufacturer's alignment specifications.
Reducing the brightness of headlights, lights or reflectors
Removing or deactivating an air bag.
Connecting a 4- or 5-point harness to the anchor points of the original seat belt.
Removing or modifying the original seat belts and their anchors.
Tinting the front side windows such that light transmission is reduced to less than 70%.
Installing:
a lift kit that affects the electronic stability control system
tires and rims such that they protrude from the body
tires on rims that are wider than the width recommended by the tire manufacturer (tire stretching)
tires that are not designed for road use (racing tires), tires that protrude from the vehicle's fenders or tires whose diameter is larger than permitted
an HID headlight kit, if the original sealed-beam headlight was not designed for that type of bulb
“suicide” doors (doors with hinges at the rear, such that they open from the front to the back)
“scissor” doors (doors that open upward)
parts that have sharp edges or spikes
Increasing:
the power or maximum speed of a scooter
Replacing:
the suspension system with one that is too stiff or that has an inadequate travel range
headlights, lights or reflectors, or the sealed-beam headlight with parts that are not SAE compliant
Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, where the lenses were not designed to be used with LED bulbs
A steering wheel equipped with an airbag
Changing:
the colour of headlights, lights or reflectors
the system that controls the vehicle's doors (opening, closing, locking and unlocking)
If your vehicle is not compliant
You cannot register the vehicle
The vehicle will not be authorized for road use
You could be pulled over at any time by a police officer or carrier enforcement officer and:
be assessed a $100 to $600 fine, plus costs
in most cases, be required to have the vehicle undergo a mechanical inspection… at your expense
Before modifying a vehicle or having a vehicle modified
