BruDirect : New Rules On Modifying Cars

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Land Transport is in the process of formulating a general guideline on the limits of car modifications in Brunei.

The department's Chief Licensing Officer Ali Hj Matusin said that the guidelines, once released, would be able to educate both the public and department on what is allowed and what should be avoided when dealing with alterations of their vehicles.

At the moment, there is no such guideline yet and we are unsure when it will be completed," he told The Brunei Times.

"It is not an easy process but we will be introducing it," he added.

Ali said that such guidelines are necessary because every country has different rules and regulations in regards to what is allowed in car modifications.

"Right now, any addition made to a vehicle without consent of the Land Transport Department, is considered an illegal modification," he said.

The chief licensing officer said that any cars that have been altered will have to be brought in for inspection at the Land Transport Department, with a "manufacturer's recommendation", before it can be endorsed by the department.

"If it meets the safety requirements and is endorsed by the manufacturer, then we will allow the modification and endorse it on the blue card," he said, adding that this applies to external appearance modifications such as body kits.

Third party rims will have to undergo technical inspection at the department to ensure they are balanced and of proper size and weight.

However, modification of vehicle lighting systems is different as one is not allowed to change the colour and power of their vehicles' lights.

"Sometimes, the changed bulbs might be too bright and of a different colour which can confuse and be of nuisance to other drivers on the road," he said.

Ali also used the opportunity to clear up misconceptions on the tinting of windows.

He said that tinted windows are allowed in the Sultanate as long as it allows 70 per cent of the light to pass through and is supported by test reports from the British or Japanese Institute of Standards. 'Anything more is illegal," he said.

The chief licensing officer added that modifications which can affect the safety and integrity of the car, such as increasing the power of the engine or lowering of car suspensions, is strictly prohibited in the country.

He said that cars sold in Brunei have been put through rigorous testing to ensure that the vehicles are properly set up and balanced. Any changes to such components of the car could compromise the safety of not only the driver but also passengers and other road users.

When asked why some car accessories shops are allowed to sell parts that is deemed 11-legal, Ali replied that the responsibility of equipping such parts fall on the vehicle's as well as the shopkeeper.

"A spoiler that is legal for a Porsche might not be legal if installed on a different car," he said.

"It is the same as buying a shoe in a store. They stock shoes of many different shapes and sizes but there is a specific one for your feet. It is the same when it comes to modifying your cars," he added. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

same old story which is just sad. I hate to point out the "misunderstanding" so I better just shut it up.

Nice info though but don't keep your hopes high, it won't happen any sooner.

well the way he makes that shoe comparison example does in a way making himself a laughing stock thus shows that he didn't do his interview session professionally enough.

obviously we talking about those import aftermarket stuff for our rides. my obvious reason for it to be legally import into our peaceful country is due to the high import tax imposed to these products which give gains in income to relevant Tax Collector. but as far as the current rule & regulations concern it will become illegal for us to buy and install these aftermarket products since it has not been endorse by the LTD.

My question: why can't any vehicle aftermarket products be endorse by LTD? They can review or test this product first in our Brunei local road to ensure the safety requirement has been approved. R&D of these products doesn't come cheap plus it had been tested to ensure it meet the requirement of the safety and quality standard.

I didn't see or heard that any new vehicle in Brunei has been tested first before being release for sales. I doubt that the "tested" only apply when the new vehicle undergoing LTD inspection to get a Blue card registration. But obviously that was after a customer decided to buy and deposit (if any) certain amount of cash to purchase those desire vehicle. Correct me if I'm wrong.

My 2 cents comment: If there's any place where we can test ride our vehicle after we install with aftermarket stuff I will be grateful. This is to ensure our ride will meet the safety requirement plus to test the quality of the aftermarket product. LTD can provide this place but rules & regulations must me updated and improvise to suite the current situation. A study group must be assign to study the current issue and to draft a resolution on how to solves these current issues regarding illegal modifications and illegal race and proposed solutions to these issues. This include safety issues to the current increase in number of car accidents as well.

One could offer a business proposal to satisfy both parties but I wonder when this will be?

cheers

Viosdevil, like i said some old story. Don't get me started with the review. Oh well it that time again to just shut my mouth. Nuff said.

Cheers

look guys i know how you feel bout this new rule that he just made it up while he was inside the toilet letting go the torpedo.

There one part that he mention every country has a different rules,rite? So what he did is to complicate people mind like for example you can use 17 inch wheels,but you need to use 15 inch tires. You can up grade the engine performance but you can't increase the horsepower, i dunno how in the hell that he get that job? So don't get your hopes up too high. Coz i m sick and tired bout them yapping bout motorworld future.ini lah itu lah macam kan saja mau masuk nama hehe,

Tidur ku eh.

Before you sleep somoki, esk you better mc me and text me because takut aku nda tebangun lpas smbhyg subuh. Mc smpai ku reject okie dokie sorry for the thread hi-jack.

cheers

wah gerenti ku tired berabis tu that last part " tidur ku eh " hahaha nda ku sadar tu.