Rig Modification Regulations

[ApapHilux]

Hello,

I have been looking for some kind of European wide regulations related to 4x4 Lift kits and other modifications such as steal front bumpers and winches... No luck so far

I am trying my luck on this forum in the hopes of getting some information before starting to modify my N70 Hilux. I'm more interested in building a capable touring rig; which hopefully would allow me to travel our beautiful continent

Does anybody know of such regulations or if these are regulated individually by countries?

Any information would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi Paul,

There are general regulations in place within the EU. But what I understand from your post is that you are based in Malta and you need to get your modifications street legal in the jursidiction of Malta, correct? The rules and procedures for the technical approvals of modifications are different from state to state. And even within a state like Germany we have (slightly) different procedures form province to province. So it is not that easy.
So you have to find out which rules and procedures apply for Malta if I got it right that you are based there and the rig needs to get a street legal after modification there.

Cheers,
Bjoern

 

[ApapHilux]

Hi Paul,

There are general regulations in place within the EU. But what I understand from your post is that you are based in Malta and you need to get your modifications street legal in the jursidiction of Malta, correct? The rules and procedures for the technical approvals of modifications are different from state to state. And even within a state like Germany we have (slightly) different procedures form province to province. So it is not that easy.
So you have to find out which rules and procedures apply for Malta if I got it right that you are based there and the rig needs to get a street legal after modification there.

Cheers,
Bjoern

I am based in Malta and I already am on the hunt for Maltese regulations.

Yes, you are correct; I need the rig to be street legal.

I am trying to get as much information as possible on such regulations since I am planning to drive it across Europe; and I don't want to encounter any issues when crossing borders. I will try to keep it legal as much as possible following multiple regulations if necessary.

~~~ The dream is to drive from my tiny island country up to the Nordkapp ~~~ It's an ambitious dream

The more information I may gather from different jurisdictions, the better

 

[El-Dracho]

[QUOTE="ApapHilux]

~~~ The dream is to drive from my tiny island country up to the Nordkapp ~~~ It's an ambitious dream

[/QUOTE]

... a great dream, make it happen !!!

So, I think, if the rig is street legal in Malta, you will not have trouble.

Interesting, I travelled nearly all countries in Europe, but not Malta. Maybe I should do that? Please tell us more about Malta and overlanding or share some pics if you like. Thank you!

Cheers, Bjoern

 

[El-Dracho]

... by the way, this is your target for that trip

Have been there two times... next time I guess I will go in winter. Travelled a lot in Skandinavia during summer and winter. So if you need some information for your trip, I am happy to share.

Bjoern

 

[ApapHilux]

Hi Bjoern,

Thanks for your help. I will try to get all mods certificated by our Transport Authority. Hopefully will not encounter any issues on the mainland continent

Malta is a tiny country made up of a small archipelago south of Sicily; basically in the centre of the Mediterranean.

We have a lot of beautiful beaches one can enjoy and sunbath on

Given the small size, you may basically go around the whole country in one day. Having said that, we still have some nice trails and beautiful camping spots.

If you like swimming, diving, and beautiful weather, then you should definitely visit... even for a short break. Not to mention, that you may make a trip out of it through Italy and Sicily before arriving to Malta

Cheers,
Paul

Some images, that might hopefully intrigue more and visit Malta

 

[ApapHilux]

... by the way, this is your target for that trip

Have been there two times... next time I guess I will go in winter. Travelled a lot in Skandinavia during summer and winter. So if you need some information for your trip, I am happy to share.

Bjoern

That's definitely my target... And I'm sure I will come to this forum to ask many questions in the future... First I will need to set up my rig

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi Bjoern,

Thanks for your help. I will try to get all mods certificated by our Transport Authority. Hopefully will not encounter any issues on the mainland continent

Malta is a tiny country made up of a small archipelago south of Sicily; basically in the centre of the Mediterranean.

We have a lot of beautiful beaches one can enjoy and sunbath on

Given the small size, you may basically go around the whole country in one day. Having said that, we still have some nice trails and beautiful camping spots.

If you like swimming, diving, and beautiful weather, then you should definitely visit... even for a short break. Not to mention, that you may make a trip out of it through Italy and Sicily before arriving to Malta

Cheers,
Paul

Some images, that might hopefully intrigue more and visit Malta
View attachment 157929 View attachment 157927
View attachment 157926 View attachment 157928

Wow, that looks really good! Thanks for sharing!

Cheers, Bjoern

 

[Billiebob]

Definitely watching. The legal considerations are more important to me than the marketing.
Gorgeous water, beaches.

 

[GeoCampers #4771]

for Europe it is quite simple (kind off). If your vehicle is in compliance with the rules of the country it is registered in, than you are fine. you will not get stopped or get a ticket anywhere in Europe (and most places outside Europe) as long as you have the right documents needed for your country.

 

[Billiebob]

for Europe it is quite simple (kind off). If your vehicle is in compliance with the rules of the country it is registered in, than you are fine. you will not get stopped or get a ticket anywhere in Europe (and most places outside Europe) as long as you have the right documents needed for your country.

This ^^^ is how it works across North America too, plus the obvious safety concerns like legal lighting, ie headlights not above the legal height, fenders which cover the tires, an exhaust system and proper tuning to keep it quiet and CLEAN, and not doing negative activities which attract the local constabulary while travelling.

If your unit looks like a mobile meth lab, expect trouble.

 

[ApapHilux]

for Europe it is quite simple (kind off). If your vehicle is in compliance with the rules of the country it is registered in, than you are fine. you will not get stopped or get a ticket anywhere in Europe (and most places outside Europe) as long as you have the right documents needed for your country.

Many thanks for your reply. Currently I am looking for a Local engineer to get information beforehand, and eventually assist me in certifying any modifications I may do to the rig.

Hopefully such documentation will keep me out of trouble :)

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

for Europe it is quite simple (kind off). If your vehicle is in compliance with the rules of the country it is registered in, than you are fine. you will not get stopped or get a ticket anywhere in Europe (and most places outside Europe) as long as you have the right documents needed for your country.

Like Toon already said and Bjoern as well.
If your car is ok in Malta it is ok in the rest of Europe as well. No worries there.

If you are making a travel car, with 4x4 mods that arent over the top there will be no problem.
Those kind of mods are not that visual. And therefore the police and such dont bother.

If you are driving with 44 inch tires on 20 inch rims, well, then they stop you just to have a look. hehehe

 

[El-Dracho]

Many thanks for your reply. Currently I am looking for a Local engineer to get information beforehand, and eventually assist me in certifying any modifications I may do to the rig.

Hopefully such documentation will keep me out of trouble :)

Yes, from my experience with rig modifications it is always a good idea to talk to the approval engineer in advance and then do the modifications. So you are able to built it in the way the expert and final approver in this case advises you.

Good luck!
Bjoern

 

[ApapHilux]

Thank you all for your feedback and sharing of information

 

[El-Dracho]

Thank you all for your feedback and sharing of information

... and do not forget to show us some nice pictures while modifying your rig

 

[socal66]

Do these same compliance rules in Europe apply to vehicles outside the EU or just those registered in member countries? Would I be able to bring my registered and street-legal in California Jeep to drive in Europe? I have been wanting to go back to Iceland for a more extended visit one of these years that would involve ferrying my own vehicle there from Denmark while also spending some time on the main continent before/after. I had always assumed there would be no major issues with this.

 

[leeloo]

Do these same compliance rules in Europe apply to vehicles outside the EU or just those registered in member countries? Would I be able to bring my registered and street-legal in California Jeep to drive in Europe? I have been wanting to go back to Iceland for a more extended visit one of these years that would involve ferrying my own vehicle there from Denmark while also spending some time on the main continent before/after. I had always assumed there would be no major issues with this.

If you want to register the car in Europe than it usually needs some modifications. But if it is just a temporary import it is no issue.. The only requirement is for Right hand vehicles to have the lights tuned so you don't blind the others, usually it solved with some stickers applied to the lights. Not the case for a US car.


If it is legal in US, will be legal inside EU, all 27 countries. The other thing you need is insurance cover. It is called mandatory 3 rd party insurance, all vehicles have it ( or should ) . This will cover what ever damage you do to other vehicles or property, people with the car if it is your fault.
This will be valid as well inside all EU, and for this type of temporary import is about about 100 euro / month, there are many companies, you need to do a bit of online search. You can keep the vehicle for maximum of 6 months, after 6 months you either pay a crapload of taxes,( to the tune of up to 35 % its book value ) , sell it or ship it back.
Other costs include some toll roads, some countries have a Vignette, a small tax usually to use the road there payable at the entry. and fuel, very expensive in EU. and thats about it. .
My advice is to ship in Netherlands or Germany, many choices there and competent custom offices.

 

[socal66]

If you want to register the car in Europe than it usually needs some modifications. But if it is just a temporary import it is no issue.. The only requirement is for Right hand vehicles to have the lights tuned so you don't blind the others, usually it solved with some stickers applied to the lights. Not the case for a US car.


If it is legal in US, will be legal inside EU, all 27 countries. The other thing you need is insurance cover. It is called mandatory 3 rd party insurance, all vehicles have it ( or should ) . This will cover what ever damage you do to other vehicles or property, people with the car if it is your fault.
This will be valid as well inside all EU, and for this type of temporary import is about about 100 euro / month, there are many companies, you need to do a bit of online search. You can keep the vehicle for maximum of 6 months, after 6 months you either pay a crapload of taxes,( to the tune of up to 35 % its book value ) , sell it or ship it back.
Other costs include some toll roads, some countries have a Vignette, a small tax usually to use the road there payable at the entry. and fuel, very expensive in EU. and thats about it. .
My advice is to ship in Netherlands or Germany, many choices there and competent custom offices.

Good to know that this all seems reasonable. I'll now need to do more research on how I'll ship my rig back and forth from the states.

 

[El-Dracho]

Good to know that this all seems reasonable. I'll now need to do more research on how I'll ship my rig back and forth from the states.

... I did it the other way round, Europe to US and back again. It was super easy! If you need any specific information about it, just let me know. I am happy to help!

Cheers, Bjoern