The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, is moving to fulfil its election promise regarding vehicle modifications by reviewing a report submitted by the state transport commissioner, which lists 18 permitted alterations that do not require prior Motor Vehicle Department approval, including cosmetic additions like seat covers, floor mats, dash cams, and additional speakers and lights, while major changes such as color alterations, CNG/LPG tank installations, and engine swaps still necessitate RTO permission and RC book updates; however, this report largely reiterates existing regulations, with the notable exception of allowing extra speakers and lights, and the state faces potential backlash from the youth if decisive legislation on modifications, particularly concerning newer market additions like coloured Paint Protection Films, is not enacted, especially given the popularity of the issue which was amplified by the Chief Minister's viral social media responses.

The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, is moving to fulfil its election promise regarding vehicle modifications by reviewing a report submitted by the state transport commissioner, which lists 18 permitted alterations that do not require prior Motor Vehicle Department approval, including cosmetic additions like seat covers, floor mats, dash cams, and additional speakers and lights, while major changes such as color alterations, CNG/LPG tank installations, and engine swaps still necessitate RTO permission and RC book updates; however, this report largely reiterates existing regulations, with the notable exception of allowing extra speakers and lights, and the state faces potential backlash from the youth if decisive legislation on modifications, particularly concerning newer market additions like coloured Paint Protection Films, is not enacted, especially given the popularity of the issue which was amplified by the Chief Minister's viral social media responses.

The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, is moving to fulfil its election promise regarding vehicle modifications by reviewing a report submitted by the state transport commissioner, which lists 18 permitted alterations that do not require prior Motor Vehicle Department approval, including cosmetic additions like seat covers, floor mats, dash cams, and additional speakers and lights, while major changes such as color alterations, CNG/LPG tank installations, and engine swaps still necessitate RTO permission and RC book updates; however, this report largely reiterates existing regulations, with the notable exception of allowing extra speakers and lights, and the state faces potential backlash from the youth if decisive legislation on modifications, particularly concerning newer market additions like coloured Paint Protection Films, is not enacted, especially given the popularity of the issue which was amplified by the Chief Minister's viral social media responses.

The UDF-led Kerala government began its move regarding the modification of vehicles in the state, which was promised by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan during the campaigning for the recent elections. The state transport commissioner submitted a report, which will be analysed by the state government, which is expected to make the final call. The document lists 18 types of modifications that vehicle owners can make without prior approval from the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD).

According to Manorama News, the list of modifications includes “seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, dash cams, reverse cams, parking sensors, GPS trackers, roof carriers, and even sun films”.

Apart from these, owners can also add stickers or designs of their choice to their vehicles, but they must be decent to showcase in public, and the report has also approved the fitting of extra speakers and lights.

The law remains the same in the case of a colour change, as car owners will have to obtain prior permission from the RTO, pay a fee, and make changes to their RC book. Also, owners must continue to take prior approval if they want to install CNG/LPG tanks in their vehicles, alter the vehicle to be disabled-friendly, convert an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV), swap engines, or make changes to its chassis in any manner.

In effect, the report did not introduce many new additions to current laws other than granting permission to fit additional speakers and lights. Furthermore, the report specified the type of interior modifications that can be permitted, like floor mats, dash cams, etc. The former LDF-led government had already allowed the use of sun films in cars according to the verdict by the Kerala High Court, which allowed owners to stick films which were RTO-approved and had 70 per cent visibility in the front and rear glass and 50 per cent visibility in the side glasses.

The Centre also needs to make decisions on new modifications in the market, like Paint Protection Films (PFF), which are thick transparent sheets stuck on vehicles to protect paint from external damage and discolouration, such as sunlight and small scratches.

Recently, coloured PPFs have been introduced, which protect paint and can be bought in any colour. This is against Indian law, as any colour change has to be approved by the MVD.

The issue regarding vehicle modifications gained popularity among the youth of Kerala after CM V.D. Satheesan’s video went viral on social media during his election campaigning when someone asked him if vehicle modifications would be allowed if the Congress came to power and replied that “it is added in the manifesto that modifications which do not cause harm are not wrong, so those modifications will be allowed. These are desires of the youth”.

However, the recent UDF Manifesto matter did not carry this, as matters regarding transport were written under sections 21 and 29, but it only includes welfare schemes such as fuel subsidies for KSRTC, private buses, autorickshaws, etc., and promises to review issues faced by online taxi services.

At the press meet post Satheesan’s elevation to CM chair, when someone from the media enquired about vehicle modifications, the chief minister responded with a captivating smile, which went viral on social media, earning him the moniker “Pookie CM”.

Currently in India, law regarding vehicle modification comes under The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Chapter 4, Section 52 (Alteration of Vehicles), which states that “No owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by the manufacturer”. It further states that if an owner wants to make modifications to the engine or the fuel used, they need to follow certain specifications and get the relevant approvals.

If the state government cannot bring decisive legislation regarding car modifications, they risk heavy backlash from the youth for a promise they say will be fulfilled.

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