If you’re interested in improving your vehicle’s audio system, you may find yourself asking ‘is it legal to have a subwoofer in your car’? The answer is yes, it’s perfectly legal. However, there are certain rules to follow to ensure you avoid the risks of fines or complaints. In this blog post, we’re sharing the legal requirements of car subwoofers. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions including ‘what does a subwoofer do’? and ‘what car modifications are legal in the UK?’.
The Legal Requirements of Car Modifications
Inform Your Insurance Provider
According to UK car modification laws, it is a legal requirement to inform your insurance provider when you make any modifications to your car, even popular modifications. Adding subwoofer speakers is seen as a modification, therefore you must let them know. If you fail to inform your insurance company, your insurance may be invalidated and you will remain unprotected if anything happens to your car.
Ensure Professional Installation
Hiring a professional to install subwoofers ensures optimal performance, efficient integration with your vehicle’s audio system and maintains vehicle safety. This is because subwoofer speakers will stay in place and will not serve as obstructions or pose any dangers. To expand, subwoofer speakers should not be in a position where they can cause any issues. The best way to reduce the risk of danger to your vehicle is to have a professional install your new subwoofer speakers.
Maintain Road Safety
It is vital to ensure you maintain road safety. You should be able to focus on driving without being distracted, ensuring there is no danger to yourself or other road users. Installing subwoofers should not negatively impact your ability to comply with road safety standards.
Be Mindful
Although it is legal to have car subwoofers, you should be mindful when using them on public roads. This involves ensuring sound levels are not too high, especially at night and in residential areas. Otherwise, you may receive complaints about noise levels and disturbances. According to UK laws, any vehicle causing a disturbance can be seized, which includes noise levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a subwoofer do?
A subwoofer speaker elevates your car’s sound system, working with an external amplifier and head unit to improve on your regular speakers and deliver an optimal listening experience. Subwoofers do this by boosting the lowest frequencies of sounds playing through the speakers.
Is it legal to have a subwoofer in your car?
Yes. It is completely legal to have car subwoofers. Following the above footsteps will help you avoid the risks of any fines or complaints and stay within the law. For more information about the legal requirements of car subwoofers, you can visit the government website.
Does adding subwoofers affect your insurance?
Failing to inform your insurance provider about your new subwoofers could invalidate your insurance. This is why it is essential to let your insurance company know as soon as you get your new subwoofers – or any other modifications – installed.
What car modifications are legal in the UK?
Read below for information about which car modifications are legal in the UK, and how to stay protected from fines or other penalties if you choose to modify your car.
- Alloy wheels – Alloy wheels are a popular choice of modification and are entirely legal. Alloy wheels must fit correctly.
- Personalised number plates – Custom number plates are one of the most common car modifications. If you are considering modifying your number plate, you must follow related laws. For instance, your number plate must possess the correct font, spacing and size. It is illegal to use italics and 4D fonts on a registration plate.
- Tinted windows – Window tints are a common modification, however you must ensure you do not go too dark as this will affect light transmission. Light transmission must be a minimum of 70% for front side windows and the front windscreen must let at least 75% of light through. There is no limit for rear windows. If you tint the wrong windows and go too dark, you may end up with a penalty and may have to stop using your car until the tint is removed.
- Sound systems – Upgraded sound systems such as subwoofers are another popular modification. As mentioned above, you should follow the legal requirements to ensure you stay within the law when choosing subwoofers or other sound system upgrades for your vehicle.
- Exhaust modifications – Although it is legal to upgrade your exhaust, the sound should not exceed noise limits and you must keep your exhaust silencer in place. Removing your exhaust silencer is illegal.
- Lights – Some people may opt to modify their lights, however there are strict rules to follow regarding car lights. According to modification laws, headlines must remain white or yellow, while rear lights should be red. Vehicles must not possess blue lights or green lights as they may be mistaken for emergency vehicles. Neon lights can only be placed underneath the vehicle, the bulbs themselves must not be visible and the glow must not be deemed too distracting.
Remember, you must inform your insurance provider about any modifications made to your car. Failing to let the insurance company know may invalidate your insurance and leave you unprotected in the event of an accident.
Choose MotorGuard For All Your Vehicle Sound System Requirements
You will now have a better understanding of the legalities of installing subwoofers and UK car modification laws, including what car modifications are legal in the UK and those to stay away from. As mentioned above, subwoofers are a popular car modification option and it is vital to ensure you follow the legal requirements to stay protected from fines and penalties. For more information about choosing subwoofers or other speakers for your car, get in touch with a member of our team. Call us on 0121 373 3122 to discuss your subwoofer or other car audio system requirements today.