Those who love tuning have found a hobby that is often on the same level as their partner! An undisputed fact that we can understand. But under no circumstances is all that allowed what you like. It goes without saying that you want to attract a certain amount of attention with your conversion. Regardless of whether you are looking to make the vehicle appear as suitable for racing as possible or carry out a particularly extensive optical conversion, or both. But just going for it is not really recommended. Particularly daring or dangerous changes to the vehicle are ruled out in advance by law.
If one nevertheless takes unauthorized changes, juicy fines, discussions with the insurance company and, in the case of hardship, even the decommissioning of the vehicle often threaten. When it comes to technology and new components, care must always be taken to ensure that an e-approval or an ABE (general operating permit) are supplied with the component. Alternatively, there is still the possibility of having the conversion carried out properly legalized by a suitable test center (TÜV, Dekra, KÜS) by means of individual acceptance. Such individual approvals are usually the case when particularly wide tires are installed, lowering is introduced, etc.
But even minor changes such as adding an "evil eye" may only be used legally after acceptance. Or by carrying the above-mentioned documents with you, if available. Is especially important too invisible tuning in the form of performance improvements using chip tuning. If the vehicle is given new software, it must also be ensured that an entry is made in the vehicle documents afterwards. The same applies to extensive changes such as nitrous oxide injection, water injection or modified intake and charge air cooling. Even the application of a Sun visor strip is not permitted without the accompanying document. If you use the upcoming winter to modify your vehicle extensively then please remember to register the changes properly before starting the tuning season 2019.
Maria Holler
Maria Holler - Maria has been contributing her expertise in the area of "Laws & Legal" to tuningblog.eu since 2014. As a lawyer with a passion for the automotive world, she combines her specialist knowledge with her interest in tuning and vehicle adaptations. She ensures that readers are always informed about the latest legal framework. In her free time, she is intensively involved with legal regulations in road traffic, which makes her an indispensable resource for the tuning community.
