Below you will see what is illegal and whats not when modifying your vehicle and some helpful links
Highway Traffic Act [.pdf] 969Kb
Environmental Protection Act [.pdf] 746Kb
Dangerous Goods Transportation Act [.pdf] 128Kb
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I want to add Red, Blue, Green, Purple or other coloured lights or coloured windshield sprayer lights to this car
It is illegal to have any coloured lights other than white or amber to the front of a car. Red is restricted to Police, Fire and Ambulance, Green is restricted to Volunteer Firefighters and blue is restricted to Snow Plows and Highway Sanders.
HTA 62(1) (All Lights) Drive without proper headlights motor vehicle - $85.00/110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 62(15) (Red Lights) - Red light at front - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 62(16) (Green Lights) Use VFF lamp improperly - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 62(32) (Blue Lights) Improper use of blue flashing light - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
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I think the tires on this car are still good. How do I check?
Check the tread depth. Tires that are worn below 1.5 millimeters in two adjacent major grooves or where tread wear indicators contact the roadway are unsafe. Any exposed cord or bulges in the sidewall make the tries unsafe too.
HTA 70(3)(a) Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a)
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625
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One of the wheel fasteners has fallen off this car. I'll just drive it until Monday when I can get it fixed
No wheel stud, bolt, clamp, nut or lug shall be loose, missing, damaged, broken, mismatched or have insufficient thread engagement.
HTA O.Reg 611 Schedule 1 Section 7(3)(a) - Reference Section for HTA 84 Operate unsafe vehicle No Set Fine, Maximum $20,000.00 fine.
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 611
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I want to install racing or drag slicks on this car
It is illegal to use any tire that is marked not for highway use or any tire that is not DOT or otherwise approved.
HTA 70(3)(a) Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a)
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625
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I want to add green side marker lights to this car
Your car must be OVER 6.1 meters in length and the lights can not be visible to the front or the rear. In addition, the lights cannot be flashing.
HTA 62(1) (All Lights) Drive without proper headlights motor vehicle - $85.00/110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 62(13) (Side Marker Lights) Improper use of side marker lamps - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 62(16) (Green Flashing Lights) Use VFF lamp improperly - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
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I want to paint this car a different colour
No Problem, just remember to get a new vehicle permit within 6 days. This also applies to if you change the engine, fuel system, number of doors, number of axles or convert the body style.
HTA O.Reg 628 Section 3 Vehicle modified fail to apply for new permit - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 628
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I want to remove the door handles on this car
No Problem. Just how do you expect emergency services to get you out of your car in the event of a crash?
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I want to tint the windows on this car
There is no restriction on window tint or colouring on rear windows as long as there are side mirrors providing a clear view to the rear. A driver must have a clear view out of the front windows and the windshield and a police officer must have a clear view in.
HTA 73(1)(a) Window obstructed / Windshield obstructed - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 73(3) Colour coating obscuring interior - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
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I want to lower the suspension and slam this car
No part of the tires may come into contact with the vehicle, no part of the vehicle can touch the ground and the front wheels cannot be visibly out of alignment.
HTA 70(3)(a) Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a)
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625
HTA O.Reg 611 Schedule 1 Section 3(5) Reference Section for HTA 84 Operate unsafe vehicle No Set Fine, Maximum $20,000.00 fine.
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 611
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I want to remove or alter the gas cap on this car
The gas cap must be able to provide a seal to meet emission standards. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended. If the manufacturer put it there, it has to stay.
EPA 23(2) Person - knowingly operating vehicle - emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00
Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19
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I want to put oversize or wide tires on this car
The tires must be approved for highway use and can not be in contact with any part of the car. You may also have to install mud guards or mud flaps.
HTA 70(3)(a) Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA 66(3) Improper mudguards / No mudguards - $85.00/110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a)
Highway Traffic Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625
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I want to add graphics to the top of the windshield of this car
Depending on the size of the lettering this may be illegal. There can be nothing obstructing the drivers view of the road ahead. A good guide is to avoid the area swept by the windshield wipers.
HTA 73(1)(b) - Have object obstructing view - $85.00/$110.00
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
