Any car is a complex system consisting of mutually influencing units and parts. The manufacturer, developing the design of the machine, initially tries to take into account all the nuances that the use of each individual device entails.
As a rule, unauthorized changes to the design of a car only lead to the fact that it becomes more dangerous in operation - both for the driver and for other road users. That is why the installation of additional units requires special procedures, coordination with the traffic police, and often - and auto-technical expertise.
Here, one should be guided by the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 018/2011, which determines that such dismantling of units or installation of units not provided for by the design of the vehicle will be considered a modification of the design, which will affect the safety of road traffic.
Important: Among the nodes, the improper installation and operation of which is dangerous, also includes the towbar (or, as it is officially called in the documents, the towing hitch for a passenger car).
This unit is designed to attach trailers to the car - and therefore, in the event of its destruction or sudden slippage, an uncontrollably moving trailer may appear on the track, into which other cars may crash, or it may collide with them.
Regarding towbars, however, the registration situation is twofold:
- Some of them require mandatory registration and approval from the traffic police.
- But for many, the explicit order of installing this node is enough.
What determines the need for registration?
When is it necessary to do this?
It is necessary to register the towbar in the following cases:
- If its installation was not initially provided for by the design of the car. In this situation, the owner of the machine, before installing a new device, may need to conduct an examination in a certified laboratory, which will confirm the safety of the changes made.
- If the design of the car allows the installation of a towbar, but there are no necessary documents for this unit. In particular, this situation can arise when installing handicraft towbars.
In what cases is it not necessary to make changes?
Car owners had questions about installing a towbar so often that, as a result, a number of regional traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation gave official explanations in 2016. Their essence boils down to the following. If the vehicle manufacturer allows the installation of the towbar, then additional registration of changes in the design is not required.
However, this requires the fulfillment of several conditions:
Therefore, in order to install a towbar on a car, the owner will need:
- Passport for towing hitch with marks of the seller and installer.
- Certified copy of the towbar certificate.
- Payment receipt and sales receipt or device invoice.
These documents should be kept in the car and presented to the traffic police inspector if, during the check, questions arise regarding the changes made to the design of the car.
Moreover, if the car is new, then the towbar can be installed in only two ways:
- At the service center of an authorized dealer.
- In a service station that has a corresponding certificate of conformity for the services provided.
If this is not done, then the traffic police will have no claims to the TSU - however, the car warranty will be terminated.
Important: The design of the towbar can provide for both its constant use and the installation of a fastening unit immediately before using the trailer.
The latter option is mainly used on modern vehicles manufactured in countries where the use of a trailer hitch without a trailer is prohibited. Of course, no approvals are needed for such a towbar: this is a standard vehicle unit that can be removed or installed.
How do I know if a car is provided?
In order to determine whether it is possible to install the towing hitch on a specific vehicle, the following steps should be taken:
How to register a TSU on a car: rules
In the event that a towbar is installed on a passenger car, it can be legalized as follows.
What is required for registration?
It will be required to register a towbar with the traffic police only if there is no evidence that a particular TSU model has been approved. In this case, you need to be guided by the traffic rules and the Federal Law "On Road Safety" No. 196-FZ of 1995.
Attention: If there is no data on the approval of the towbar design by the car manufacturer, you will first need to submit an application to the traffic police for a preliminary examination.
In this case, auto experts must assess how safe the resulting design will be and whether it can ultimately be released on public roads.
In this case, the following is submitted to the traffic police:
- Registration application.
- A copy of the TCP.
- Technical documents for towing hitch.
- STS for a car.
Certificate of conformity for the tow hitch
In some cases, when automakers did not take the trouble to describe the conditions for using the towbar, but the installation of the towbar itself is legal, a certificate is required that confirms the compliance of the coupling assembly with the standards.
The certificate is issued:
As a result, if a towbar is installed on the car, then the certificate for it:
- Can be restored again.
- Can be obtained if it has not been previously issued.
In the first case, in order to get a duplicate, you need to contact:
- To the official representative office of the company with a request or at least with a copy of the sales contract. Basically, the sales offices serve customers who have purchased new cars of the corresponding brand and have encountered difficulties. However, they often provide assistance to all car owners who own a car of the corresponding brand.
- To the official website. Often this kind of documents are laid out by carmakers in the public domain.
- On a specialized Internet resource. Quite often, users collect a collection of regulatory documents. Even if such data is not officially accepted, the car owner will know what to start from.
Attention: In the same case, if the towbar was not initially certified, the owner of the car will have to either refuse to install it or go through the certification procedure.
To do this, you need to contact an auto laboratory that has permission to conduct the relevant examinations and is accredited with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Only after the corresponding document is received from there, we can talk about installing a non-standard towbar.
How much does the procedure cost?
If the design of the car provides for the possibility of mounting a towbar, and there are legally issued documents on the unit itself, no additional fee is required. It is enough to put the towing hitch and drive, having the relevant documents with you.
If it is necessary to legalize the changes made to the design of the car, then payment will be required:
- carrying out an auto-technical examination. It will cost at least 3 thousand rubles;
- payment for technical inspection - at least 400 rubles;
- obtaining a certificate of conformity - at least 800 rubles;
- changes in the TCP according to Art. 333.33 Tax Code of the Russian Federation - 350 rubles;
- new STS - 500 rubles.
The prices are indicative.
What if the hitch is already installed without documents?
If the car owner has already installed the towbar and he only needs to legalize the alteration, the prices and procedure will be the same as when installing an unlicensed towbar. However, it must be remembered that in certain cases the installation will be an administratively punishable act and you will have to pay a fine.
When is it prohibited?
The ban on the installation of a towbar exists in two cases.:
- When the car manufacturer did not provide for the possibility of using it as a tractor, and therefore the operation of trailers is unsafe for road users.
- When the design and attachment of the towbar do not provide safety.
In this case, the perpetrator will be fined from 500 to 5000 rubles in accordance with Art. 12.5 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
Registration of a towbar is a procedure that is not always required. The vast majority of cars can be used as trailers, but where the towing device does not meet the requirements, problems can arise.
Video
Watch a video about the need to register a towbar:
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A hitch or hitch (hereinafter), one of the most common additional equipment on the machine. It is used for transporting all kinds of trailers, transporting bicycles ... However, while we do not use it, if we say in the language of a commoner, it just sticks out in the back. And here, recently, our valiant inspection, which monitors road safety, began to ask questions to the owners of cars that are equipped with towbars. It is not the first time that you can find reviews on the Internet pages that the inspector issued a fine for the towbar. But what is the real situation with the fact of the installed towbar, not issued as an additional equipment. Is it really possible to issue a fine for this? Is it legal? This is what we want to tell the reader about.
Logically, what is a towbar ...
In fact, in order to arrive at the law of a fine, it is necessary to bring actions or inactions to some condition or fact, and also to prove its violation. Well, if you know that under article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, it is quite possible to write out a fine. And this article of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation suggests a fine for something inoperative or for re-equipment on the car, it turns out that the hitch itself must be brought under additional equipment - that is, under a change in the design of the vehicle. Here, the first step is to refer to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. After all, it is in it that you can find the definition of what a design change is.
"changes in the design of a vehicle" - the exclusion of components and items of equipment provided for or installation not provided for by the design of a particular vehicle, carried out after the release of the vehicle into circulation and affecting road safety;
In fact, if we develop this idea, then I would like to know whether the hitch will affect the very safety of road traffic or not. Here it is already necessary to turn to the definition of road safety. To do this, we will quote the Federal Law of 10.12.1995 N 196-FZ "On Road Safety"
Article 2. Basic terms
road safety is the state of this process, reflecting the degree of protection of its participants from road accidents and their consequences.
Now we draw a conclusion. If the towbar can affect the provocation of an accident or its consequences, then in fact this is a design change. It is possible to logically conclude that a towbar can affect the role of probability in an accident, but it would be absurd. But the conclusions about the consequences of the influence of the towbar in an accident are unambiguous. The towbar protrudes beyond the rear bumper, which means it may well affect the consequences of an accident. Since, first of all, the blow will fall on the hitch, and only then on the bumper. As a result, the towbar can be considered a change in the design of the car, which means that Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, or rather a fine according to it, is quite likely for motorists with a towbar.
However, there are exceptions here that will play into the hands of the car enthusiast.
Is it possible to avoid a fine for a towbar
First, it is worth conducting a dialogue about the fact that Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for an alternative to warning. That is, first of all, it is necessary to say that everything will be corrected in the near future and ask to stop at the warning. It will be especially good to use this tactic if you have no relapses, that is, traffic violations over the past six months or a year.
Secondly, a detachable towbar can be used. In this case, it will be difficult to logically assert that such design changes affect the likelihood of an accident and its outcome. After all, in fact, you have no protruding parts. What negates the influence of such a semi-tow bar in the final results of an accident. It goes without saying that a sane inspector should accept this point of view.
Another case would be the option when the towbar is installed from the factory or fasteners are provided for it. We do not know if there are such machines, that is, which come from the factory with a towbar (towing device) right away and how to confirm that the towbar was installed at the factory. But if there are any, then, in fact, the towbar cannot be considered a change in the design of the vehicle. Since neither you nor anyone else interfered with the design. Everything was as it is.
Thirdly, what may be the most popular argument, you can use the loophole under Chapter V of the Technical Regulations ..., Section 4, Clause 77
77. Vehicles are not subject to inspection in the following cases:
1) when installing the components on a vehicle:
designed for this vehicle and passed the conformity assessment as part of this vehicle, which is confirmed by the documentation of the component manufacturer;
provided by the vehicle manufacturer in the operational documentation;
That is, if, say, a towbar is certified in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union for the car on which it is installed, then it has thus passed the assessment, which means you can ride with it. Well, about the ones provided by the manufacturer, you can not repeat, since this is practically akin to what is provided for by the design. It goes without saying that we have already talked about.
In general, if you have a towbar, then you must have a certificate for it for compliance with the Technical Regulations, and also that the models in which it was received are mentioned. It is such a certificate that will become a kind of guarantee that they will not take a fine for the hitch. In some confirmation of such information, we will attach a letter from the traffic police.
Well, one thing can be said about home-made towbars, they remain "outlawed" here.
Penalty for hitch (tow hitch)
In fact, we have already said that a fine for a towbar is possible. Here it only remains to cite article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, or rather its first part. It is for her that a fine will be issued.
Driving in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation and the obligations of road safety officials, the operation of a vehicle is prohibited ... - entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of 500 rubles
In fact, in the "Fundamentals ..." there is a "List of malfunctions and conditions", in which there is also clause 7.18.
Changes have been made to the vehicle design without the permission of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation or other bodies determined by the Government of the Russian Federation
That is, the same changes have been made that we talked about above. As a result, since the hitch is a change, and for violations of the "List ...", or rather the "Basic Provisions ..." liability is provided, then it just can come in accordance with Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, cited by us above. As a result, a warning or a minimum fine may well be issued for the towbar.
Is it possible to pay a fine for a towbar with a discount
We do not know whether it is good or not, it’s like anyone, but a fine for a towbar can be paid with a 50 percent discount. This is stated in article 32.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. The main thing here is to pay the fine no later than 20 days and no earlier than the order will be issued and included in the traffic police database.
The current state of affairs on the road
Despite the fact that we nevertheless came to the conclusion that a fine for a towbar is not only possible, but also completely legal, everything is not so bad. Indeed, in practice, motorists are not often issued such a fine. Let's say more, no one pays much attention to the presence of a towbar, and does not think that the motorist is breaking. Therefore, the real objectivity is not so gloomy, and until some resonant case happens in our country or the idea of a "fix" arises, you should not be particularly afraid of a fine for a towbar. The likelihood of such an administrative penalty is not great.
Question-answer on the topic "Penalty for a towbar"
Question: Can they issue a penalty for the towbar?
Answer: Yes, this is a warning or a minimum fine.
Towbar penalty video
Judicial practice regarding the fine for the towbar
In fact, this is not just idle chatter, as there are real fines and even judicial acts (decisions). We look.
Installation and registration procedures for such equipment may vary slightly. It all depends on the observance of several factors. If the 3 conditions below are met, then registration is not required:
- the device must have documentation from the manufacturer - confirming safety;
- the machine is equipped with the necessary seats for installation;
- the installation was carried out in a special service that has permission to perform such work.
We do not provide services for the installation of towbars on cars, but we are ready to recommend the best services for you. Our work is the legal registration of changes, the development of documentation for guaranteed registration of the towbar and passing the check by the traffic police and support at all stages of the conversion and the absence of errors.
The penalty for the installed towbar on a passenger car is incomprehensible to many drivers. For them, a tow hitch is a necessity, but traffic police inspectors require dismantling or payment of a certain amount. Some owners don't even know if it's legal. So you need to study the requirements, understanding the reason for their appearance and the amount of administrative responsibility.
What is a towbar?
Towbar - a device for a trailer. It is installed under the rear bumper, but such changes are interpreted as unauthorized. Traffic rules do not allow them to be made, as they pose a danger during road traffic. This concept may seem strange, because complex models of towbars are specially made for a passenger car.
If the design of the machine does not provide for the factory method of connecting the trailer, additional documents are required.
Practice shows that difficulties have to be faced at every step. The traffic police quickly fines drivers, not allowing any refutation and persuasion.
Why is the device fined?
The traffic rules indicate the prohibition of the installation of additional structures. In accordance with the regulations, the vehicle must remain in the factory configuration, and any elements that could create a hazardous situation must be removed. This interpretation suggests that you have to pay a fine.
How does the trailed structure pose a danger to the surrounding machines? Changes can be made, but within the established dimensions. If they do not correspond to the standard indicators, movement becomes impossible. The towbar partially protrudes beyond the rear bumper, therefore, even in the event of a minor collision, it causes serious damage to the second car. This explains why it is necessary to deal with the registration of the changes made.
How to protect yourself from responsibility?
Changes to the vehicle design are not permitted. In 2016, the provisions of the Federal Law appeared, which indicated administrative responsibility. The changes led to ambiguous situations, although experienced drivers quickly figured out how to get around the problem. Is it safe to drive on the roads? What can be done for this?
- Factory complete set;
- Registration of permission.
When you need to install a hitch for a trailer on a car, two of these rules should be taken into account. This is the only way to achieve relaxed travel, as the new law suggests. So it's worth considering the changes to avoid making mistakes.
Factory complete set
Do I need to register the towbar shown in the factory? No, it is allowed as it is not a design change. The car is prepared in advance for the carriage of goods, so it does not pose a hazard while driving. Such a statement is incomprehensible, because manufacturers do not always take into account the dimensions correctly.
The paradox remains stupid, because the vehicle remains dangerous, but the presence of a formalized transformation suggests otherwise. A great example is the huge SUVs that inexperienced drivers try to get around. Some people think that the big tax is the reason for connivance. You have to pay it anyway, so the extra costs are unnecessary.
Registration of permission
The last change in the rules suggests the mandatory registration of the tow hitch. Otherwise, traffic police inspectors have the right to fine drivers on all roads. There are no exceptions, so before transporting goods in a car, you should go to the department.
The owners had a question: "I have been driving my car for a long time, but only now I found out that a permit for a trailer is required." The latter provisions have appeared recently, so now it is necessary to draw up transformations without fail. You can only purchase ready-made factory models of towbars that meet all the requirements. Otherwise, technical expertise will be required, which rarely agrees to travel on the roads.
Fine amount
What is the penalty for the driver? In accordance with the rules, it is only 500 rubles, but repeated violation entails new administrative responsibility. This problem remains the main one, because you have to regularly pay large sums.
Under the new legislation, the owner can be fined at any position. This suggests that it is much easier to abandon transformations. Most often they are not so important, so you can freely find an alternative. Although, if necessary, formalization of documents is always available, which will not take much time.
Additional difficulties
You also need to register the trailer. He is a vehicle with a full package of documents. Few car owners who are accustomed to the old rules know about this. Previously, they were able to simply purchase a structure "by hand" or make it according to a personal project, but today such a solution is becoming unavailable.
Experts note that a large package of papers will be required to transport goods. The towbar and trailer must be submitted to the department for expert review. Yes, if everything was purchased in a store, the necessary documentation will be obtained without problems. Otherwise, dismantling will most likely be required, which will only lead to unnecessary complications.
Alternative options
In recent years, motorists have been constantly interested in the alternative. Are there structures that can replace the trailer? This issue remained the main one for people who do not want to face administrative responsibility, but some types of freight transport remain mandatory for them.
- Racks;
- Special trailers.
Roof rack is a great alternative to a tow bar
Today professionals argue that you can get rid of outdated designs. Gradually, the need for them disappears, as it is always possible to find excellent replacements. They will be a simple solution that will save you from unnecessary collision with traffic police inspectors.
Racks
The stands are becoming the most interesting. They are mounted on the roof of the vehicle, allowing you to transport skis, snowboards and even bicycles without restrictions. In such cases, no design changes are made, so there is no need to worry about fines. The only question is the dimensions of the car, because they are strictly specified in the rules. Among them, the maximum height is noted, but the factory design may exceed it. After installation, the indicators increase, although they remain acceptable. Moreover, the documents can be obtained immediately, and in the future clashes with inspectors are excluded.
Roof rack
If you often have to transport things, you can refuse the trailer. Manufacturers offer unique designs with large capacity. When a person is thinking about how to get ready for vacation, he should think about the roof rack. This solution turns out to be simple and reliable, protecting things from bad weather. The costs are justified by one hundred percent, which makes you seriously think about an affordable purchase.
Special trailers
Special trailers are manufactured for motorcycles, scooters, boats and other vehicles. There are many of them, but each of them meets strict requirements and is installed without additional registration in the traffic police. For this reason, it is easier for car owners to take advantage of such an offer than to face endless bureaucracy again.
The use of trailers has long become a habit for motorists. Today the rules have changed a lot, so it is better not to go on the road with loads without formalized papers. Otherwise, a fine will be issued at the next post, which will have to be paid without delay, and then dismantle the device.
Hitch and its varieties. Legal ways to install a towing hitch. When it is necessary to register the vehicle with the traffic police and when you can do without it.
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Many car owners use car trailers for their needs. To mount them in the rear of the car, a special towing device is mounted - a hitch.
But traffic police inspectors tend to pay increased attention to this detail of the car's design and are fined for its illegal appearance.
Let's figure out in which cases it is permissible to install a useful device on a vehicle, and when it will be an offense.
General information
In Russia, since 2015, it has been in force that regulates the safety requirements for wheeled vehicles. There are also provisions concerning towing devices, their installation and use.
It is considered safe to use such devices in compliance with the following requirements:
If these conditions are not met, then the installation of the towbar falls under the definition of a change in the design of the vehicle.
According to the current legislation, such changes must be registered without fail with the traffic police with a technical examination of their safety for all road users.
Initial data
Not all manufacturers provide for the possibility of equipping their products with towbar. This is due to some structural characteristics of the vehicle that prevent it from towing a trailer.
In addition to the operating instructions, such information is contained in the load table under the hood of the vehicle.
Varieties of devices
According to the method of attachment to the car, it is fashionable to divide all towing hitch into three groups:
- removable, fixed with special locks;
- conditionally removable for which bolts are used;
- fixed, welded or end.
The legislation of many countries allows car owners to use only removable devices, prohibiting them from being on a car without a trailer. In Russia, it is necessary for the towbar to meet safety requirements.
The legislative framework
The safety requirements for cars are set out in an international document to which Russia joined in 2015.
This is the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union called "On the safety of wheeled vehicles." The rules for the installation and registration of the TSU in it are devoted to Art. 77.
Traffic police officers impose a fine on the basis. Its first part, in turn, is a reference. The document to which she refers is from 10/23/1993.
This document approved the Basic Provisions for the Admission of the Vehicle. Clause 7.18 of this normative act contains a ban on the use of vehicles, in the design of which changes were made without the permission of the traffic police.
Penalty for a towbar on a passenger car in 2020
Illegal installation and use of a towing vehicle on a passenger car is a traffic violation. For this, the drivers are subject to administrative responsibility.
Let us consider on what basis it is drawn up, what is the amount of the fine for such a misconduct, and whether other types of punishments are envisaged.
Do I need to register with the traffic police
Registration of the installed towbar is not required in all cases. gives a list of situations when you do not need to contact the traffic police.
It won't be a design change:
- Hitch installed at the factory;
- Towing hitch specially designed for this brand and model of the vehicle;
- TSU, which has passed the safety test and supplied with the appropriate certificate.
The place of performance of work in this case does not play a big role. If you wish, you can do all the work yourself, following the instructions of the car manufacturer.
But it is still preferable to contact a car repair shop. The report of the work performed will convince the road inspector of the safety not only of the device itself, but also of its installation.
To register you will need:
- to conduct a preliminary examination;
- car registration certificate;
- car owner's passport;
- towbar documents.
In case of a positive decision, you can go to the service to carry out the work. After their completion, you will need to go through an unscheduled inspection, and then register the changes made with the traffic police.
Justification for violation
Traffic police officers, writing out a fine, refer to paragraph 1 of Art. 12.5 Administrative Code. It punishes the use of a car with unregistered design changes.
In this case, the term "structural changes" is understood as it is given in the Technical Regulations - installation or, on the contrary, removal of elements, equipment and fixtures that were not originally provided by the car manufacturer.
But only those changes are taken into account that affect traffic safety, in particular, causing it to decrease.
Does the installed device affect security
One of the characteristics of road safety, according to, is security, including from road accidents.
The towbar protruding beyond the main dimensions of the car reduces this security. Cars driving behind have to maintain a great distance.
In a collision, the vehicle in the rear will be more severely damaged. A small, protruding metal part will cause more damage than a flat, long bumper.
It is these considerations that are guided by the traffic police when applying administrative punishment for an uncoordinated change in the design of the car.
Penalty for unregistered installation
Installing a towing vehicle in violation of the requirements of the law can lead to an emergency, that is, it threatens the safety of both the driver himself and other road users.
To punish violators of Art. 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, a monetary fine is applied. It goes to the state revenue and will be used in the future for the implementation of various social programs.
There are no other punishments, such as deprivation of a driver's license or administrative arrest, for this offense.
Video: tow bar
The amount of the penalty
The fine for an unregistered towbar is 500 rubles. This amount will be indicated in the decree on the application of administrative punishment.
The standard time frame for the payment of the fine is 2 months. But, since this traffic violation does not belong to the category of serious ones, there is an opportunity to pay only half of the fine.
To do this, the money must be transferred no later than 20 days from the date specified in the document. The smaller amount must be entered on the receipt or in the electronic form yourself.
How can you avoid punishment?
The easiest way to avoid punishment for installing a towing device on a car is by registering the changes made in the traffic police, as required by law.
But first you need to make sure that this is approved by the manufacturer. As a rule, most models of modern cars provide for the installation of a tow bar.
Information about this is reflected in the instruction manual developed by the manufacturer. The towbar may be included with the vehicle initially, when it is sold from the factory.
In this case, additional registration or examination is not required, the design of the machine has not been changed.
The installation of a towing vehicle designed specifically for this car model will not raise questions from the traffic police. The manufacturer issued a passport and all the necessary certificates for it.
If in the documents for the towbar there is no indication of its suitability for installation on a specific car model, then you will first have to obtain documentary evidence of the conformity of the selected device.
If such a document is available, and the installation of the towbar is allowed by the car manufacturer, then the installation will be completely legal and does not require registration with the traffic police.
