If you are into car customization, I am sure you have considered changing your car’s steering wheel. Modifications for aesthetic reasons are generally harmless. However, modifications that affect car performance and passenger safety have legal guidelines. So is it illegal to install an aftermarket steering?
Technically, there is no specific law against installing aftermarket steering wheels. Aftermarket steering wheels, in general, are legal. However, aftermarket steering wheels that are not DOT approved and do not have airbags are illegal in most places. The installation of your aftermarket steering wheels also affects the status of your insurance policy. Most insurance covers become void when you change the steering wheel from one with an airbag to one with not.
If your car did not originally come with a fitted airbag from the factory, that is, vehicles before the early 90s, then you can replace your steering wheel with an aftermarket one. If your car has an airbag as a standard fitment, then the aftermarket steering wheel must have an airbag. Whether or not you can legally drive a car without airbags depends on your insurance policy and state of residence. Below we have more details on the legalities of driving a vehicle with an aftermarket steering wheel.
Are aftermarket steering wheels legal in the US?
There is so specific federal law against driving with aftermarket steering wheels. However, manufacturers needed to fit airbags into steering wheels as standard equipment since 1999. Installing a regular aftermarket steering may breach federal vehicle safety standards if it is not DOT approved or does not have an airbag.
While the federal government does not directly prohibit driving a car with an aftermarket steering wheel, several state and federal laws essentially make it illegal — or, at the very least, inadvisable. The state governments have factors they use to consider if an aftermarket steering is permissible or not, such as safety inspection standards, insurance, and title requirements.
Whether your car passes safety inspection standards with an aftermarket steering wheel varies with the state. Some states specifically check for airbags, and if it does not have, they mark it as road-unworthy, meaning you cannot drive your car until you install a steering wheel with an active airbag. Some states are not very strict on the airbag requirement and usually issue a warning and recommend getting a steering wheel with a fitted airbag. States like North Dakota, Indiana, Kansas do not have airbag inspections, making it easier it easier to drive with an aftermarket steering wheel without getting ticketed.
In most states, the police have the right to ticket you if your car is deemed unsafe for using an aftermarket steering wheel without an airbag. Some of these states include; Arkansas, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.
In terms of insurance policy, if your car had functional airbags in the steering wheel when you purchased the policy, installing an aftermarket steering wheel without an airbag is likely to void the policy. And it is illegal to drive a vehicle without an insurance policy in most states.
Are aftermarket steering wheels legal in Canada?
Driving your car with an aftermarket steering wheel is legal as long as you have a working horn switch. According to the Motor Vehicle Act in Canada, aftermarket steering wheels in used vehicles do not require DOT approval. They are not illegal unless they are unsafe, that is, incorrectly installed in the car. Only cars that are newly manufactured must have steering wheels that meet the Canadian federal standards for new vehicles.
Quick-release aftermarket steering wheels are only legal if the car originally came with one from the factory for exhibitions and off-road purposes. Keep in mind that this modification will change the terms of your insurance policy contract.
Most car owners in Canada do not know that there are insurance covers for legally modified cars but at an extra cost. Not all modifications qualify for coverage, though. Car modifications for accessibility, safety, and appearance, such as the sporty aftermarket steering will, can be covered by your insurance policy.
Are aftermarket steering wheels legal in the UK?
There are no specific laws against aftermarket steering wheels in the UK as long as it meets the UK MOT standards for aftermarket auto parts. The UK laws, however, recommend installing one with an airbag for safety reasons. UK laws also state that you should declare any modification to your car with your insurance company. If you don’t report the modifications, the insurance company can revoke any claims, and your insurance will be void.
Is it illegal to have a steering wheel without an airbag?
No, there is no legal requirement for cars to have an airbag. However, all cars from 1999 must have fitted airbags and standard equipment. Race cars, on the other side, are exempted from this rule because the forces involved in speed racing can trigger the airbag to deploy and injure the racer.
If you replace your steering wheel with an aftermarket one that triggers an active airbag light on the dash, you will be violating vehicle safety standards. The penalty for this violation varies in different states, and you may have to pay a fine or receive a warning to install a proper steering wheel. If your vehicle is modified, it should also have the appropriate insurance cover for modified cars. Most insurance companies will nullify your cover if you do not report the modification, which means you will be driving with a void insurance cover which is also illegal.
Are quick-release steering wheels illegal?
The quick-release steering wheel mounts onto a quick-release hub which allows you to disconnect the steering wheel. This modification is quite familiar with racing cars as it will enable the driver to enter and exit the vehicle during stops quickly. Some car owners will install them in regular street cars for security and aesthetic reasons. The legalities of this modification on a standard street car depend on your state’s transportation safety department.
In countries and states where driving without an active airbag is illegal, installing a quick-release steering wheel will make you liable for penalty fees. In countries like Australia, quick-release steering wheels are only legal for race cars and off-road vehicles.
Will an aftermarket steering wheel pass MOT?
The UK law requires every car over three years old to receive an annual MOT test and an MOT certificate to drive on UK roads legally. Replacing your vehicle’s original steering wheel with a different, aftermarket one is a modification. Whether the modification passes the regulations will depend on a few things, an aftermarket steering wheel will pass an MOT test if it was well installed and meets the quality standards required. But because most aftermarket steering wheels do not have an airbag, it will fail the test if an airbag is mandatory.
Are heart-shaped steering wheels legal?
There is no law specific to steering wheel shape and size in the United States; therefore, heart-shaped steering wheels are generally legal. The only issue would be the mounting of the steering wheel should be secure, which could violate vehicle safety standards. You may also be liable for a fine if the original steering wheel had a fitted airbag because heart-shaped ones do not come with airbags. These types of steering wheels are more common in vintage cars made before the early 90s.
Do aftermarket steering wheels fit any car?
Not all aftermarket steering wheels will fit any vehicle because you will need the correct wheel boss adapter or hub specific to your car model to install it. The steering wheel hub is a device that attaches your steering to the vehicle and allows you to move it freely and steer the car safely. Steering hubs are specific to a model or a series of models. The quality of the adapter is also essential, and a low-quality hub will affect steering capabilities and even cause an accident.
Can a car function without airbags?
Airbags do not affect a car’s functionality. Although you can drive your car without an airbag, it still increases the risk of severe head trauma for both the driver and other passengers in case of a collision. Cars did not come equipped with airbags until about 30 years ago, and cars made before 1989 function properly without airbags. Even vehicles with deployed airbags can still function.
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Besides losing the airbags feature when installing an aftermarket steering, keep in mind that you may lose other car features such as radio, cruise, and cellphone communication. Most newer cars have these features mounted on the steering wheel, and removing the airbag would mean disabling them.
Conclusion
In general, aftermarket steering wheels are not illegal. However, their lack of airbags violates safety standards in most countries which may be liable for penalties or fines. You should always confirm with the DOT department of your state. Also, verify with your insurance company about modifications to avoid losing compensation in case of an accident. If you want to install an aftermarket steering wheel, it is best first to consider your safety and that of your passengers first by installing airbags.