A tuner's paradise - is there such a thing?

Reading time 5 Min.

We can tell that we are all looking for paradise by the fact that it is sung about so often. But both pop singers and adventurers are still looking vergeblich. Unfortunately, this also applies to Tuner. The country where you can do anything with your car, there is not any. The USA is considered to be the country the unlimited possibilities, but also there: Not everything is allowed that you like when tuning. It seems as though much more is allowed in the United States when it comes to tuning than in Germany, but there you wear it too full legal responsibility with all the associated consequences. If the court can prove that an accident with personal injury would have been more mildly if the polluter took the vehicle would not have retooled, then particularly severe penalties threaten. In addition, tuners always have to expect arbitrariness from the authorities. However there is no regulations for tuning and expert opinions of any kind will also be not created. In contrast to Germany, the authority to interpret the road safety of a vehicle rests solely with the police and the court.

And what about in Europe?

That's what tuners find with our neighbors Screwdriver land of plenty? The answer is no, not really. In many cases, the regulations for tuning are even stricter there than in Germany. The reason for this is lack of uniform legal basis for the retrofitting of vehicles that take part in road traffic. Lots of parts like special Rims, Suspensions and Spoiler belong to the so-called non-harmonized components.

Since there are no uniform test bases for these parts in the EU, there are also no uniform approval conditions. For some components, however, the EU member states have agreed on common test bases. Keyword: "harmonized parts". These include Sports exhaust systemsthat is in government lingo Exchange silencer be called, or Identrikes. Other harmonized accessories are subject to a tightened regulation, which Type approval requirement names. This means that these components comply with the regulations must be approved. If this is not the case, it is fine the sale is prohibited. For non-harmonized parts - unfortunately that is a large part - The national regulations in the individual EU countries apply. So each country can more or less do what it wants!

Purchase allowed, use prohibited - confusion in the tuning scene

The Sales of components for vehicles works between the EU countries without any major problems. There are hardly any violations of the free cross-border sale of goods. However, they are Commissioning or use of accessories due to national regulations limited oder sogar verboten. In France and Italy there is one for the use of aftermarket parts permission required by the vehicle manufacturer or authorized importers. But tuners can wait a long time for that, because the manufacturers enjoy the legally prescribed Competitive advantage over third party providers. In other countries you need a for the tolerance of non-branded components Teilegutachten or ABE (General operating permit). However, buyers can rely on a legal basis not appointed. Approval and use of non-harmonized components are only permitted in Austria and Switzerland gesetzlich geregelt.

Tuners in other European countries often take part unauthorized cars through the area. They either violate national law or there is no existing legal basis for their use, which puts them at high risk. The use harmonized accessories however, it is regulated at European level, which is why it is here no problem are. Unfortunately, there are currently still very few harmonized parts and there is currently no prospect of further harmonization on a larger scale by the EU anytime soon. One reason is likely to be the powerful lobby of the vehicle manufacturers. The inconsistent and therefore confusing structures for accessory products are an advantage for manufacturers because they can better sell their own components.

Security through German regulations

Due to the German regulations, screwdrivers have a lot of room for Creativity and individuality at the vehicle. Any official arbitrariness can in this country with a Expert opinion or a modification acceptance be counteracted. On the other hand, can a police officer in the USA call a tuner "not suffer"And has this"on the kicker", Then there are hardly any ways to counteract it. It's different with us! Also owns a legally tuned vehicle in this country also the full insurance coverage. Many tuners abroad envy us this luxury. And the legal possibilities in Germany are sufficient for most of them, a few but like to resort to illegal tuning and thus bring the Scene in disrepute. So is Germany a screwdriver's paradise? Everyone has to answer this question for themselves. The fact is that we are facing the restrictions abroad can be satisfied. Even if it sometimes looks different at first glance.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it.

tuningblog.eu has a lot of other articles on the subject of auto & tuning in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. But also planned changes in the law, violations in road traffic, current regulations in the field of STVO or on the subject inspection we would like to inform you regularly. Everything you can find in the category "Test sites, laws, offenses, information". Following an excerpt of the last information:

Info: Which additional lighting is allowed on the car?

The expiry of the operating permit for vehicles!

Sports exhaust, sound generator, flap exhaust: that's the law!

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