alberta vehicle equipment regulations

[Rubi03 jef]

so here is the low down

as some might know i am building a jeep with 42x15.5 inch tires and with full width axles my entire tire will be sticking pass the body of my jeep so ive been reading and looking all over and found a few things i figured i should share

this is the newest version of  the laws we can bend 

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2009_122.pdf

so lets starts
spot lights / fog lights

((a) “auxiliary driving lamp” means a SAE Standard J581
type Y lamp;
(b) “fog lamp” means a SAE Standard J583 type F lamp.
(2) If a motor vehicle has auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps,
they must be mounted on the front of the motor vehicle and the
centres of the auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps must be lower
than the centres of the headlamps.
(3) Two auxiliary driving lamps may be mounted, one on each side
of the vertical centre line.
(4) Two fog lamps may be mounted, one on each side of the
vertical centre line.
(5) Auxiliary driving lamps on a motor vehicle must be used only
at the same time the high beams on the headlamps are used.
(6) Fog lamps on a motor vehicle must be used only at the same
time the low beams on the headlamps are used.
(7) Despite subsection (6), fog lamps may be used without
headlamps if the weather and road conditions make the use of
headlamps disadvantageous.
( A person shall not drive or operate or own a motor vehicle that
has a total of more than 2 auxiliary driving lamps and 2 fog lamps.
(9) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with both auxiliary
driving lamps and fog lamps lit at the same time.
(10) An auxiliary driving lamp or fog lamp on an unloaded motor
vehicle must be adjusted and aimed so that none of the
high-intensity portion of the light to the left of centre of the vehicle
projects, at a distance of 8 metres ahead, higher than 100
millimetres below the centre of the lamp from which the light is
projected.
(11) Fog lamps on a motor vehicle may only emit amber or white
light.)

so im pretty sure we all knew this already   so any lights above your head lights are ilegal and should be covered so that they can not be used on the road
so those of you with lights on your A pillar get some covers

next on the list
mud flaps and mud guards

Mudguards
64(1) A motor vehicle or trailer must have a part of its body, a
fender or a mudguard that covers the width of each tire.
(2) The body part, fender or mudguard referred to in subsection (1)
must be above each wheel and
(a) extend downwards at the rear of each axle or axle group to
at least the centre line of the axle, or
(b) be a distance away from the ground equivalent to at least
1/3 of the horizontal distance from the bottom edge of the
Section 65 AR 122/2009
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REGULATION
33
mudguard to the centre line of the axle, but not closer to
the ground than 150 millimetres when the vehicle is
loaded.
(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the following
types of vehicle must be equipped with rear wheel splash and
stone-throw protection that complies with SAE Standard J682:
(a) a commercial vehicle or combination of commercial
vehicles that is registered for a gross weight of more than,
or that weighs more than, 4500 kilograms and that is not a
bus;
(b) a bus;
(c) a trailer.
(4) A passenger car is not required to have a mudguard.
(5) This section does not apply to a trailer designed and
constructed for drive-on and drive-off low loads.

so what i get from this is .. us jeepers only need a bodypart , fender or a mudflap .   so one of the 3  to cover from above the tire down to center of the axle  this is good news since i do not plane on building fenders to cover 15 inchs of rubber

bumpers are next

Bumpers
79(1) A passenger car must have both a front and a rear bumper.
(2) A person shall not install or alter a bumper on a passenger car
unless the design of the bumper is equivalent to, and the bumper is
mounted in substantially the same manner as, the bumper installed
by the manufacturer of the passenger car.
(3) A person shall not alter a passenger car in such a way that the
main structural component of a bumper is more than 500
millimetres or less than 400 millimetres above ground level when
the passenger car is not loaded.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), components that are
commonly known as bumperettes or overriders are not part of the
main structural component of a bumper or of the projected vertical
facing of a bumper.
(5) Subsection (3) does not apply to passenger cars manufactured
before April 1, 1976.
(6) A person shall not alter a car manufactured before April 1,
1976 in such a way that the bumper is more than 100 millimetres
higher or lower than it was at the time the car was manufactured.

to me this means any jeep tj with any kind of lift of larger tires then stock will be over this so how do we go about with getting away with this BS law well ill be looking for a grey area .

seat belts are next

Occupant restraint system
81 The Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the regulations
under that Act are adopted and apply to seat belt assemblies, child
restraint systems and other components of an occupant restraint
system in motor vehicles.
Seat belts required
82(1) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle in which
a child who weighs 18 kilograms or less is a passenger unless
(a) the motor vehicle is equipped with a child restraint
system,
(b) the child restraint system is properly installed, and
(c) the child is properly secured in the child restraint system.
(2) If a motor vehicle is being driven and it has a seat belt
assembly
(a) in the driver’s seat position, the driver shall wear the
complete seat belt assembly, and
Section 83 AR 122/2009
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REGULATION
40
(b) in the passenger seat position, the passenger shall wear the
complete seat belt assembly.
(3) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle that has a
seat belt assembly in the passenger seat position unless the
passenger in the seat is wearing the complete seat belt assembly if
the passenger
(a) is 6 years old or older but under the age of 16 years, or
(b) is a child who weighs more than 18 kilograms.
(4) A person who is required to wear a seat belt assembly under
subsection (2) or (3) shall wear the seat belt assembly properly
adjusted and securely fastened.
(5) A person shall not, with respect to a seat belt assembly in a
motor vehicle, remove it, render it partly or wholly inoperative or
modify it so as to reduce its effectiveness if the motor vehicle was
equipped with the seat belt assembly at the time it was
manufactured as required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada)
and the regulations under that Act.
(6) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle that was
equipped with a seat belt assembly at the time it was manufactured
as required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the
regulations under that Act if the seat belt assembly has been
removed, rendered partly or wholly inoperative or modified so as to
reduce its effectiveness.
Occupant restraint system installation
83(1) A person must install seat belt assemblies or other
components of an occupant restraint system in a motor vehicle in
such a way that they and their installation comply with the
requirements under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the
regulations under that Act.
(2) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle in which a
seat belt assembly or other component of an occupant restraint
system that was installed at the time of the manufacture of the
motor vehicle has been replaced unless the replacement meets the
standards required under section 81.

this means to me i can install a 5 point seat belt because it is better then factory and as long as i wear it im good to go and my passenger of course



so i would like to hear everyones point of views and there opinions on this since everyone that reads these laws reads them differently


thanks guys
and gals

[LukeDuke]

So calling on personal experience from living in Sylvan Lake, the most picky of all places to live in with regard to vehicle regulations.

Fog lamps. Weather covered or not, it is illegal to mount them above the center line of the headlights. Covers, no wires hooked up or magnet mounts makes no difference. You will get a ticket if the officer feels like giving you one.

Mud flaps or fenders must cover the entire width of the tire and down to the axle center line. 15” mud flaps are going to be pretty floppy if you are going to use them to cover the top of the tire too. You can also get a ticket for unsecured mud flaps and they will tow you vehicle. Make sure they have support and are secure.

Seat belts. 5 point harness must meet OEM specifications in order to be legal. Most harness are made better then the OEM but are not to the OEM specs, You can get a ticket.

Most of these can be avoided if you don’t bitch or get all high and mighty with the officer. Most of us know this already driving modded Jeeps. But if you do, look out cause you can end up with a pretty big ticket and in some cases a tow bill an impound fees.

[specialk]

it really doesn't matter how we interrupt these laws.  It matters how the police and courts interrupt them.  Why be dick about it?  Just do what you can to make yourself legal enough so you won't get pulled over on the public roads and get the ticket in the first place.   

[WhiteOut]

Mudguards
64(1) A motor vehicle or trailer must have a part of its body, a
fender or a mudguard that covers the width of each tire.
(2) The body part, fender or mudguard referred to in subsection (1)
must be above each wheel and
(a) extend downwards at the rear of each axle or axle group to
at least the centre line of the axle, or
(b) be a distance away from the ground equivalent to at least
1/3 of the horizontal distance from the bottom edge of the
Section 65 AR 122/2009
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REGULATION
33
mudguard to the centre line of the axle, but not closer to
the ground than 150 millimetres when the vehicle is
loaded.
(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the following
types of vehicle must be equipped with rear wheel splash and
stone-throw protection that complies with SAE Standard J682:
(a) a commercial vehicle or combination of commercial
vehicles that is registered for a gross weight of more than,
or that weighs more than, 4500 kilograms and that is not a
bus;
(b) a bus;
(c) a trailer.
(4) A passenger car is not required to have a mudguard.
(5) This section does not apply to a trailer designed and
constructed for drive-on and drive-off low loads.

This part means that you are required to have either a mudguard or fender, your choice. But that mudguard or fender must cover the entire width of the tread at the top and extend to the axle centerline. This applies to the front as well as the back.

So only having the back covered will still get you a ticket if there is exposed tread at the top.

As for lights, covered or not, anything with the centerline above the centerline of the headlights is illegal.

If they feel like it, they CAN tow your vehicle for not being in compliance with any of these.

The ticket amount will depend on the cop who pulls you over and if it is RCMP or city police. Can range from a single $57 ticket for Improper Equipment or they can issue one ticket for each violation. So 4 lights on the roof? 4x $57 tickets if they want, same goes for missing fenders and mud flaps.

Best advice is this: Don't act like a know it all and argue, the place to fight a ticket is in court and not ont he side of the road. Take the ticket and fight it later.

[Rubi03 jef]

thanks guys .. i can see you all like to bend over for the law ..

like ive stated befor ive yet to be pulled over for lack of mudflaps and or any coverage for 12.5 wide tires    im very respectful to those disrespectful cops so i give them less reason to give me tickets ..

any tickets given to me will most likely be faught in court as it is easyier to deal with fines there then it is to argue with a cop that most likely knows less of the laws then anyone of us

and can some one explain to me  how the F$@k does a rat rod roll around town with no fenders muflaps or body over any of the 4 tires

[morerpmfred]

Section 4a this does not apply to passenger cars. That means not required on station wagons or mini vans. So not required on xj or jk.


Yahoooo.

[specialk]

and can some one explain to me  how the F$@k does a rat rod roll around town with no fenders muflaps or body over any of the 4 tires

in order to get the inspection done, they need to have fenders.  But I'm going to guess that they have a buddy who will sign off on it so they can get their plates - no surprise there.  Plenty of ways to get around that...

I think there is a different perception from the public (including the popo)  from a rat rod to rigs with 40's sticking out each side.  I see rat's out on nice days only, with their scary tattooed drivers and cruising around.... 

I see lifted rigs every day (more and more all the time), some covered in mud, kicking up rocks with their doors off,  drivers are missing teeth and of course there is open liquor in the rig while cutting off traffic and being all around douche bags...  and we are bad for the environment...  and we have bad breathe...  and that's just girls...

There just aren't the same numbers to compare.

And those ratters are as illegal as everyone else, they either don't give  a crap or will just pay/fight the ticket.   

[specialk]

What's the rule with Semi's?   When not hauling a trailer, they have mud flap but the top of the tires is open... spewing up crap...

[Dagoose]

I don't understand the part about no lights above the headlights. I've seen some Liberty's around town with (what looks like) a stock roof mounted light bar. All of them that I've seen had the covers on. Is that technically illegal?

After moving up to 35x13.5 tires, I think it's time I get some mud flaps. The rooster tails that my Jeep now creates in any sort of water is pretty terrible (not to mention the rocks it's throwing). If a cops behind me, I'm pretty much asking for a ticket.

I have heard of guys with 12.5 tires getting tickets with stock flares. Like most people say, it all depends on the cops mood. I'll just try and keep my Jeep as legal as I can.

[Rubi03 jef]

What's the rule with Semi's?   When not hauling a trailer, they have mud flap but the top of the tires is open... spewing up crap...

im trying to find the exact wording for the semi's   because bob tail and 8 tires kick up alot of everything .  and your right they show at least a 1/4 of the tire below the mudflap and 1/4 above the mudflap .. so why cant i get away with just a mudflap

[Spinalguy]

im trying to find the exact wording for the semi's   because bob tail and 8 tires kick up alot of everything .  and your right they show at least a 1/4 of the tire below the mudflap and 1/4 above the mudflap .. so why cant i get away with just a mudflap

The problem is, you will have a monster jeep. Its foolish to think that something that big will not attract cop attention. Lets be realistic, although cool, certainly not a daily driver and that is the problem. Big difference from  a diesel truck on 42's vs a jeep on 42's. The jeep is going to get hassled. Doesn't make you a bad guy, but driving that monster on the street is just 'over the top' not a normal occurrence.
You can do as minimal as you want, that is within the law, but i am sure you will be here you posting at some point about how unfair cops are.
You are going to get pulled over and often. Yeah, you might win in court but how much time is going to be wasted by you going to court appearance after court appearance after court appearance.
So, you can roll the dice, or you can make that jeep so street friendly that you will be hassled much less.

[BUKI]

I used to roll with the boys from speed tech back in the day (in my crappy little Honda).  And I got harassed all the time.  To low, not comming to a complete stop before leaving a parking lot, etc. now granted more than half of those tickets were because I was doing something stupid (young and dumb). But Alot of them were for no reason at all. I've been driving around with 33/12.5 tires on a lifted yj for 5 years and never been harassed once for anything. Granted a 4 cyl and 33s equals barely keeping speed limit.  BUT 42s is going to attract Alot of attention (good and bad).

[Rubi03 jef]

I guess I will find out shortly.

And even on 42's I'll still be sitting lower then Lost tj's on 36's

[frenchy]

I guess I will find out shortly.

And even on 42's I'll still be sitting lower then Lost tj's on 36's

What are your plans for insurance / vehicle inspection?

[Loaderopp]

the only hassel i have had was no 3rd brake light. Other then that i have been pretty much left aloan. I have a-piller mounted lights with covers with no hassels at all. But some of the guys i run with have had issues running without covers on the lights.

I think if you do your best to keep your rig within reason, they might just look and leave you aloan