After-market raised vehicle consultations

In recent years, the number of raised vehicles operating in Saskatchewan has increased. As such, SGI needs to clarify raised vehicle standards for customers, law enforcement and certified inspection stations.

We recognize that a vehicle can be reasonably modified or raised from its factory condition, without adversely affecting safety. However, without a policy, vehicles with after-market modifications are at risk of being removed from the road, because they do not comply with the current regulations or pose a risk to other road users.

Current regulations

Our current Saskatchewan regulations reference federal motor vehicle safety standards, which require vehicle manufacturers to test and certify that the vehicles they offer for sale meet specific braking, lighting and crash-test standards.

Saskatchewan regulations also require a vehicle to remain in compliance with the federal standards that were in effect the year it was manufactured. When a vehicle's frame, tires, brakes, suspension or steering has been modified, it could mean the vehicle no longer meets the standards.

What would a policy allow?

SGI has the authority to exempt vehicles from certain sections of the regulations and allow vehicles to be safely modified. Our key concern in clarifying standards for raised vehicles is balancing road safety while allowing owners to make modifications to their vehicles.

A policy would mean that owners of after-market raised vehicles would not have to establish compliance with federal safety regulations while ensuring that these vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to other users of the road.

Let us know how high is too high

Our public consultations are over, but we would still like your views on how high a vehicle can be raised before it becomes so high that public safety is compromised.

E-mail us your thoughts, comments or research on this issue. If you own an after-market raised vehicle, consider filling out our survey. Your information will help us understand the impact a new policy will have on after-market raised vehicle owners.

View the information sheet on this issue handed out at the public consultations.