Vehicle modifications

Vehicle owners sometimes modify their vehicles to give them a distinctive appearance, to improve their performance or so they are better suited to a specialised purpose.

If you hold a provisional licence (P1 and P2) and wish to modify or purchase a modified vehicle, you should check your eligibility to drive that vehicle before you do so.

Modifications that result in changes to the vehicle’s registration details need to be notified to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) within 14 days using the Change of Vehicle Particulars Notification form (F3524). These include changes to the:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• engine number
• body shape type
• colour
• seating capacity
• number of engine cylinders
• fuel type
• make or model
• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
• Gross Combination Mass (GCM).

Minor modifications

Minor modifications include where an accessory is installed (such as a towbar or roof racks) which pose a low risk to vehicle safety. Provided the vehicle continues to meet all of the applicable vehicle standards, these modifications do not require approval by TMR or an approved person.

Additional guidance on the most commonly performed minor modifications is contained in the Vehicle Standards Instruction on Minor Modifications. 

Basic modifications

Basic modifications include shock absorber substitution, power steering conversion and like for like replacement of engines. Basic modifications are more significant than minor modifications and must meet all the applicable requirements in the Queensland Road Vehicle Modification Handbook.

Provided the vehicle continues to meet the applicable vehicle standards, these modifications do not require approval or certification by an approved person. 

Complex modifications

Complex modifications include engine upgrades, suspension upgrades, mass re-rating, gearbox changes, vehicle body modifications and steering and brake replacements. These are significant modifications which can affect the safety of the vehicle if not performed properly.

Complex modifications must be performed in accordance with a Queensland-approved modification code and require certification by an approved person. 

Specific modifications

Specific modifications are modifications which are not minor, basic or complex modifications and where there is no Queensland-approved modification code. Specific modifications can only be approved by TMR and cannot be certified by an approved person.

Specific modifications are only able to be approved by TMR in circumstances where:

• the modification is reasonably needed by a person who is to use the vehicle (for example, for a person with a disability to access or drive the vehicle), or
• where the modification is likely to benefit the community (for example, so Queensland Rail can operate the vehicle on roads and railways), and
• the modification is not unsafe.

To seek TMR's approval of a specific modification, you must submit the following documentation to [email protected]:

• a completed Vehicle Modification Application form (F1854). All sections must be completed, including which components are standard or modified, and details of all modifications
• documentation showing the engineering design used for the modification, specific for that make, model and variant, photographs of the installation that clearly demonstrate compliance with the engineering design
• details of why the modification is reasonably needed or why the modification is likely to benefit the community.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Modifications which occur outside of Queensland

Modifications that are performed and certified in another jurisdiction are not automatically recognised in Queensland. These modifications must be approved by TMR or certified by a Queensland approved person prior to registering the vehicle in Queensland.

TMR can only approve modifications performed and certified interstate where:

• the modification is reasonably needed by a person who is to use the vehicle (for example, for a person with a disability to access or drive the vehicle), or
• where the modification is likely to benefit the community (for example, so Queensland Rail can operate the vehicle on roads and railways), and
• the modification is not unsafe.

Any other modifications, such as for recreational purposes, must be certified by a Queensland approved person prior to registration in Queensland.

To seek TMR's approval of an interstate modification, you must submit the following documentation to [email protected]:

• a completed Vehicle Modification Application form (F1854). All sections must be completed, including which components are standard or modified, and details of all modifications
• documentation showing the engineering design used for the modification, specific for that make, model and variant
• photographs of the installation that clearly demonstrate compliance with the engineering design
• proof of registration in another jurisdiction
• details of why the modification is reasonably needed or why the modification is likely to benefit the community.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Applying the vehicle standards

The standards that apply to a vehicle will vary depending on the year of manufacture and the vehicle category.

New vehicles are generally required to meet the current Australian Design Rules (ADRs) that apply to the vehicle category. Older vehicles are required to meet the ADRs that applied to their vehicle category at the time it was manufactured. For further information, please refer to the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure website.

The standards for vehicles manufactured before the ADRs were introduced are contained in schedule 1, part 4 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021.

If you are modifying a vehicle to a later ADR standard, you must comply with all of the later ADR requirements for the modification.

Modifying a heavy vehicle

The advice on this page relates to light vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5t or less.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) regulates modifications of vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of over 4.5t. For further information on modifying a heavy vehicle, visit the NHVR website or contact the NHVR on 1300MYNHVR (696 487).

Fee increase

On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges increased by 3.4% in line with the government's indexation policy.