Chatham-Kent Police Service

**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 Click to see the law

**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 Click to see the law
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) – Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a) Click to see the law
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. Click to see the law

**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 Click to see the law
HTA 66(3) – Improper mudguards / No mudguards - $85.00/110.00 Click to see the law
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) – Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a) Click to see the law

**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 Click to see the law
HTA 73(3) – Colour coating obscuring interior - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law

**I want to add Red, Blue, Green, Purple or other coloured lights or coloured windshield sprayer lights to this car**
Lights on the front of a car must be white or amber. Red is restricted to Police, Fire and Ambulance. Green is restricted to Volunteer Firefighters and Blue is restricted to Police, Snow Plows and Highway Sanders.
HTA 62(15) (Red Lights) - Red light at front - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law
HTA 62(16) (Green Lights) – Use VFF lamp improperly - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law
HTA 62(32) (Blue Lights) – Improper use of blue flashing light - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law

**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?

**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(13) (Side Marker Lights) – Improper use of side marker lamps - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law
HTA 62(16) (Green Flashing Lights) – Use VFF lamp improperly - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law

**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 tires unsafe too.
HTA 70(3)(a) – Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00 Click to see the law
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) – Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a) Click to see the law

**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 Click to see the law
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b) – Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a) Click to see the law

**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. Click to see the law

**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 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 Click to see the law

	Side View \| Front View \| Rear View \| Engine View \| Interior View
These guidelines remind car enthusiasts of the legislative requirements involved when modifying vehicles. Vehicle images courtesy of: Keith Losier, Owner / Builder - Desired Customs.
Full version of the Highway Traffic Act
Full version of the Environmental Protection Act
Full version of the Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
Full version of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
Races, Contests and Stunts
Dollar amounts represent set fine / total fine including victim surcharge and court administrative fee.
**The information contained on this webpage is provided solely as a resource for members of the public. It is not intended as legal advice or as a full and accurate representation of the law. Chatham-Kent Police Service assumes no responsibility for any reliance placed on this information, and encourages members of the public to seek their own legal advice.