Is it necessary to register a towbar for a passenger car with the traffic police 2021?

Every car enthusiast knows that installing additional equipment on a car may entail registration of these changes. Road safety requirements require that vehicles be inspected if changes are made to them and that they be formally documented. However, which equipment needs to be registered and which does not? And is it mandatory to register a towbar for a passenger car with the traffic police in 2021 if there is a need to install it? To do this, we will answer the following questions sequentially.

Legislative regulation

Paradoxically, a towbar certificate is considered one of the essential elements of vehicle safety, which is directly stipulated in the articles of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles.” The provisions of the regulatory act apply both to the machines themselves and to all equipment used in their operation.

The emphasis in the regulations is that each equipment must have a separate certificate confirming quality and safety. The document for the device must be issued by the manufacturer of the part, and not by the repair shop performing the installation.

The second mandatory point: the design of the machine must provide for the installation of a tow bar. Where to check whether the installation and operation of a trailer is permissible:

VIN plate indicating the weight of the car. There must be two numbers. The first is the maximum weight without cargo, the second is the maximum weight of the loaded vehicle. If the second digit is missing, then installation of the towbar (even if there is a certificate) is unacceptable.
On the gost.ru website, where standards for each type of machine are indicated.

Important! When installing a tow bar, there must be not only a certificate of conformity, but also a passport of the equipment.

What to do if you plan to buy a towbar?

If you are planning to buy a towbar, then you need to completely read your car's passport again.

If the vehicle's operating manual indicates the possibility of installing a towbar and towing a trailer with it, then the vehicle manufacturer does not prohibit the installation of a towbar on your vehicle, and accordingly this will not constitute a change in the design of the vehicle. In this case, you will not have to register the vehicle. Place the documents on the towbar in the car and show them to the traffic police officers if necessary.
If the possibility of installing a tow bar is not indicated in your car’s passport, then all changes to the vehicle design made by retrofitting the vehicle with a towbar must be registered.

You need to find a tow bar that fits your vehicle. Request the seller in advance to have all the necessary documents. If you do not have the required papers, you should contact another supplier.

You also need to find a specialized center where specialists will install a trailer hitch on your car. Here you can also get additional information regarding registration of the towbar, if required, as well as accompanying documents for the trailer hitch.

Why is it necessary?

The purpose of the certificate is to confirm the serviceability of the equipment, as well as its compliance with established standards. The document is issued immediately upon purchase of the trailer hitch, so you must carefully choose where to make the purchase (trusted suppliers or official dealers). Why is it needed:

risk of accident associated with sudden breakdown;
there is no compliance with the established form, that is, the manufacturer did not take into account all the features of the machine where the tow bar will be attached;
risk of breakdown associated with poor quality of the product.

The certificate for the installed trailer hitch must always be in the car in case of a sudden traffic police inspection. If the driver cannot prove that the product meets the safety requirements, he will have to pay a fine and be forced to dismantle the trailer hitch.

Lost certificate

Restoration of the received quality compliance document occurs only through the manufacturer, who can be contacted in one of the following ways:

personal office visit;
sending an official request to the legal address;
communication by email.

Attention! Certificates are universal for all manufactured towbars, so there is a chance to find the document on the company’s official website.

Towbar without a certificate: what does it mean?

It is worth understanding that, according to the requirements of the Customs Union, each towing device must be certified. If the supplier offered you products without documents, this may mean that:

The manufacturer does not have official permission to release the product. Of course, in this case you can count on a more affordable price, but no one guarantees you the quality of the product.
The towbar did not pass the required tests. Despite its rather simple design, the trailer hitch must properly distribute the load on the body to avoid damage. The device must also be able to withstand significant weight. Without testing, there is no guarantee that a breakdown will not occur on the road at high speed.
This is a fake. Of course, sometimes documents can be lost during delivery, but this is the dealer's problem. You must be provided with a complete set. If some papers are missing, then perhaps they are trying to sell you illiquid products. Do not agree to the purchase under any circumstances.

Still have questions about towbars? Ask them to us!

Why do you need a certificate?

First of all, you need a certificate of conformity to ensure the reliability of the product. In addition, it can confirm that the device is suitable for your make and model of car. Therefore, there will be no doubt that the installation will take place without additional difficulties. Another important function of the document is to confirm the legality of using the towbar. For example, the design of the machine provides for the possibility of installing such a device. You must use a trailer hitch that is designed specifically for your vehicle. In case of inspection, you need to show the certificate to the traffic police officer; this will be enough to prove the safety of the installation. When installing a universal model or tampering with the design of a vehicle, papers are needed to register and obtain permission to operate the towbar. Law enforcement agencies will never issue you any certificates unless you provide a complete package of documentation, including a certificate of compliance.

Lost certificate: what to do?

Any documents can be lost, which is fraught with considerable problems. In the case of a towbar certificate, the problem can be easily solved if you know the manufacturer and preferably the model of the device. Then you can solve the issue in the following ways:

Go to the manufacturer's office. Large brands have representative offices or official dealers in many regional centers and smaller cities. Make an appointment with the manager or just come during business hours and he will help you solve the problem.
Write a letter to the legal address of the company. The answer will have to wait some time, but usually company representatives do not ignore the requests of their customers.
Contact via the official website. There is almost always a special feedback form that allows you to send any questions. A copy of the certificate will be sent to your email address.

It is worth noting that some manufacturers, for convenience, post the document directly on the website for free download. So we recommend starting with checking the resource; perhaps restoring your papers will only take you a couple of clicks.

Still have questions about towbars? Ask them to us!

Other ways to obtain a certificate

If a towbar is already installed on your car and you have no idea about its safety, there are no documents, then contact technical specialists for help. We offer you:

inspection of the technical condition of the trailer hitch;
manufacturer and model identification;
sending a request to brand representatives;
issuance of documents.

Depending on the situation, we may recommend removing and installing a new tow bar. Or provide the necessary papers to undergo examination by the traffic police and register the device. In any situation, we guarantee high-quality installation services, supply of original certified parts and a reasonable pricing policy.

In order not to make a mistake with your choice, seek professional advice from the specialists of the Ziesta shopping center. Our technical center will help you with choosing a towbar, perform installation work and provide a guarantee for the result.

In our Technical Center you can buy a towbar or bring and install your own towbar. We are located at Moscow, st. Dubninskaya, 83 building 6. The largest selection of towbars for all brands of cars. We will install the tow bar and issue all the necessary documents and certificates. Rest assured, the price of our assistance will always remain relevant. Contacting ZIESTA is profitable and convenient in all respects.

Safety requirements for towbars

Registration of a certificate for the installation of a towbar is the responsibility of the owner of the car or the legal entity on whose behalf the cars are released onto the line. The following types of devices are distinguished:

folding;
welded;
removable.

Each of these categories has its own characteristics and requirements. But the main thing is the strength and reliability of the fastening, which guarantees the safety of all road users even when the maximum load weight is reached.

Is it possible to avoid punishment

There are four situations in which a fine issued for placing a tow bar is considered illegal if it is appealed:

according to the provisions of Article 12.5 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses, traffic police inspectors have the right to issue the driver a warning instead of a fine if the owner of the car reports that he will correct the identified violation as soon as possible;
establishing a removable type design - the presence of such a device will not allow proving that it affects the factory external characteristics of the vehicle;
the tow bar was placed on the vehicle by the manufacturer;
The driver has certificates confirming that the device used complies with all standards.

It is important to know! Motorists who have a towbar installed on their car are advised to always carry with them documents indicating that the structure is placed in compliance with all rules, especially if it is not removable.

A device intended for towing other vehicles or transporting trailers and trailers must be secured to the machine in accordance with all legal provisions. Otherwise, the car owner may be fined. The size of the monetary sanction varies from five hundred rubles to five thousand, depending on the degree of potential danger that the mechanism may pose. Therefore, the car owner needs to carry documents confirming the legality of installing the unit on the vehicle.

Certificate cost

If compliance documents are prepared immediately upon purchase of the trailer hitch, they will cost the user free of charge. If certification is issued after installing the tow bar, the cost depends on where the technical center is located, the validity period of the document and the speed of its receipt. On average, the owner of a vehicle will have to pay 1.2–1.5 thousand rubles.

Article 12.31 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for the responsibility of the driver for operating a vehicle converted without the appropriate permit. The same applies to driving a car with a self-installed tow bar without certification. The fine in 2020 ranges from 5 to 8 thousand rubles.

Do you always need to get permission?

Obtaining permission for a towbar means receiving a certificate that includes new data on the reconstruction of the car.

A towbar is a traction device that is installed on a car at the manufacturer’s factory during the operation of the car.

Whether it is necessary to coordinate the installation of equipment for securing a trailer depends on the documents on hand. The factory design provides for the installation of a towbar, which means it can be installed and used. No permits will be required.

The design of the car may not at all provide for the use of such a device as part of the vehicle configuration. This situation cannot be avoided without costs. The examination is paid. Additionally, you will have to pay a state fee.

Cases when you do not need to register the towbar after its installation:

Design changes are provided for the entire series of vehicles at the manufacturer's plant.
The towbar is installed as additional equipment, provided that the following conditions are met:

the possibility of using the device is provided initially, confirmed by the operating manual from the factory;
there is documentation for the traction system that confirms the possibility of using it on a specific vehicle model;
the installation was carried out strictly according to the instructions, without significant changes in the design.

Procedure for obtaining a certificate

In addition to automatically issuing a certificate for a vehicle upon purchase, there are other options for obtaining a document. In particular, contacting the city’s technical center. Specialists will not only issue a certificate, but will also help establish its model, characteristics, manufacturing method, and safety compliance.

In the case of purchasing a trailer hitch and installing it yourself without preliminary paperwork, the procedure for product certification will be as follows:

choosing a technical center that provides services for obtaining documents for towed devices;
submitting an application for certification;
submission of the required package of documents;
technical inspection of the vehicle;
studying the technical characteristics of the product;
preparation of inspection reports and expert opinions;
issuing a certificate.

Attention! Certification of conformity is temporary, valid for an average of 4 years.

How to get a certificate

If you contacted a good trailer hitch manufacturer, then you will not have any problems obtaining all the documents.

Today in Russia the best manufacturers of certified towbars are considered to be:

Westfalia;
Baltex;
Imiola (Imiola);
Avtos (Autos);
Trailer;
Bosal (Bosal or Bosal);
Thule;
Leader Plus.

By contacting them, you will receive not only high-quality products, but also a full package of permits.

Among them will be a copy of the certificate of conformity with an appendix describing the features of installation, operation, etc.

This certificate is a special document that is issued in accordance with the rules of the certification system. It confirms the compliance of certified products with current rules, requirements and standards.

All companies that responsibly approach the production of their trailer hitches go through a long and difficult path to obtain such certificates. Clients are given only a copy.

Now to the question of where to buy or how to obtain such a document. There are two main situations here:

recovery;
receiving.

Now I will explain in more detail what is at stake in each case.

Recovery

The certificate is missing due to its loss or because they forgot to include a copy of the certificate in the package. That is, you must have it, since there are no obstacles, but for some reason you did not have the document at your disposal.

There are several ways out of the situation.

Reader Questions

Last week I installed a welded tow bar myself. No certificate. Traffic police stopped me and drew up a report. Based on the results of the review, a fine and an order for dismantling were issued. After receiving the fine, I contacted the technical center for certification, but there are no documents yet. What do i do?

Answer: Even if you receive a certificate, you will have to pay a fine, since the driver cannot allow a car with self-conversion to drive. As for dismantling, you can wait until the certification document is received, but driving the car before this is strictly prohibited, otherwise there is a risk of being punished for a repeated violation.

Grounds for prohibiting installation

In the question of whether it is possible to drive with a towbar, it is important to study the cases in which this homemade design should not be installed. Situations often arise when the device mount is located outside the vehicle, which can result in an accident.

Sometimes it happens that even in a minor collision, the car clings to the towbar of the car in front. As a result, both vehicles are damaged, which is caused only by the presence of a tow hitch.

If the car owner does not have documents confirming that the mechanism was installed by the manufacturer, if it is discovered, the driver will be fined for a towbar with a trunk or without a trailer.

Advice! If the device is made for a specific car brand, there is no need to close it. A fine for a tow bar will also not be issued.