How can a passenger car with a roof rack be installed to pass vehicle inspection?

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.

The Traffic Newspaper's hotline received a question from a reader regarding the installation of roof racks on passenger cars, which is considered a modification. The reader asked what the procedures are to ensure a smooth vehicle inspection process.

For a vehicle fitted with a roof rack to be accepted as a modified vehicle, it must have confirmation from the car dealership to ensure compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines as required by regulations (illustrative image).

Regarding this issue, the head of a vehicle inspection center in Hanoi said that currently, the demand for installing roof racks on passenger cars is quite popular among car owners because it increases cargo space when traveling long distances or adds a sportier , more robust look to the vehicle.

However, in quite a few cases, after the vehicle has been modified and submitted for inspection and acceptance, it is rejected due to not meeting the necessary documentation requirements.

Specifically, according to the head of this vehicle inspection center, Circular 43/2023, amending and supplementing Circular 85/2014 on the modification of motor vehicles, stipulates that: "Installing, replacing, or removing roof racks of passenger cars in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions without changing the overall width of the vehicle" is classified as a modified vehicle but is exempt from the requirement to prepare modification design documents.

This means that any modifications to a vehicle can be carried out immediately during the acceptance testing of the modified motor vehicle, combined with technical safety and environmental protection inspections, without the need to prepare a separate design dossier for the modified motor vehicle.

The head of the vehicle inspection center noted that the Circular clearly states that the installation, replacement, or removal of roof racks for passenger cars must comply with the manufacturer's instructions and must not alter the width of the vehicle to ensure safety.

Therefore, to facilitate the vehicle inspection after roof rack installation, as requested by a reader of the Traffic Newspaper, the vehicle owner needs to go to the dealership to obtain a confirmation document for the addition of the roof rack (if the roof rack is already included in the design specifications of this vehicle model, it will be stated in the manufacturer's catalog or instruction manual. The dealership will then issue a confirmation document to the vehicle owner based on this information).

The vehicle owner brings this confirmation document to the vehicle inspection center along with the vehicle that has been fitted with a roof rack to complete the modification paperwork (including a written request for vehicle modification acceptance from the vehicle owner to the inspection center). The inspection center will inspect the modified motor vehicle and conduct the vehicle inspection to issue a new inspection certificate and inspection sticker appropriate for the modified vehicle.

Furthermore, to avoid roof racks being installed incompatible with the vehicle or exceeding its width, the head of another vehicle inspection center also advised car owners to install roof racks that are genuine options from the manufacturer.

Car owners who install roof racks on their vehicles without permission will be fined if checked by authorities on the road (illustrative image).

Will I be fined for installing a car roof rack without permission?

Vehicle inspection centers advise car owners against installing roof racks on their cars without authorization, as this could result in fines while driving on the road.

Specifically, Government Decree No. 100/2019/ND-CP dated December 30, 2019 (amended and supplemented by Decree No. 123/2021/ND-CP) stipulates a fine of VND 6-8 million for individuals and VND 12-16 million for organizations that own automobiles and arbitrarily modify the structure, shape, or dimensions of the vehicle in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's design, the design in the documents submitted to the vehicle registration authority, or the modified design approved by the competent authority.

At the same time, an additional penalty will be applied: revoking the vehicle's technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate and inspection sticker for a period of 1-3 months.

Additionally, when installing roof racks on passenger cars to carry luggage, it's important to note that the luggage or goods must not exceed the vehicle's overall dimensions (i.e., the length and width of the car). Violations will result in fines ranging from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/o-to-con-lap-gia-noc-the-nao-de-duoc-dang-kiem-192240711103254809.htm