Many car enthusiasts choose to modify their car`s exhaust system, but there are laws that regulate limiting the noise your vehicle can produce. The following section describes the relevant laws and regulations regarding noise laws for car exhaust in California. What are the noise regulations for aftermarket exhaust systems sold in California? Assembly Bill 1824 came into force in January 2019. This new legislation does not make California`s exhaust noise laws stricter. Instead, the bill only requires police officers to issue immediate tickets to offenders. Which slip-on exhaust systems and silencers are considered “spare parts”? It is important that all motorcyclists are aware of California`s laws regarding motorcycle exhaust noise. Drivers should also be aware of recent changes to what happens when drivers are stopped for a noise-related offence. California Vehicle Code 27150.3. Details of prohibited use of whistleblower modifiers for exhaust systems.
There are also additional regulations, so we recommend checking out the California Vehicle Code for important sections related to exhaust noise levels. For example, section 2115.3 prohibits the installation of whistleblowers or similar devices that emit a high-pitched or shrill noise while the vehicle is in motion. 95 dbA is the legal limit for vehicle exhaust noise in California. Police can “exercise judgment” to determine if your exhaust noise is above the legal limit. Most factory-installed exhaust systems do not exceed 75 decibels, even in powerful sports cars. Manufacturers of motorcycle exhaust systems and replacement parts manufactured after 2013 must have a certification label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirming compliance with the law. If officers attempt to issue a ticket to a driver using a certified exhaust system, they can avoid obtaining the ticket by showing the certification badge to the officer. Older bike riders may find it harder to prove their bike complies with the law. It`s not clear how law enforcement tests a bike`s volume to see if it`s compliant with the law, and different testing methods can produce very different decibel levels. It`s unclear whether this law will be used as another way for police to target MC members or other bikers, but law enforcement remains obligated not to unfairly prosecute a class of drivers, and they can be held accountable if they do.
All vehicle exhaust systems must be equipped with silencers. Leads, cuts and especially pipe ends are not allowed. Proper testing of these decibels is conducted under the direction of the California Highway Patrol under the direction of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Critics point out that it is not clear how these decibel values are measured in the field. Supporters of the bike also say that the tests are unreliable and that different tests can lead to different results for the same bike. Penalties for the sale of unauthorized exhaust systems under the California Vehicle Code and the Health and Safety Code can be at least $750 per sale. CARB often charges an additional $2,500 per sale under the Business and Professions Code for an “illegal, unfair or fraudulent business practice.” These parts are suitable for sale and use on motorcycles used on or off public roads. There are two applicable scenarios for aftermarket exhausts and other parts: Prior to the new law, known as AB 1824, went into effect, California drivers of non-motorcycle motor vehicles were not allowed to have a modified exhaust system or muffler if the noise exceeded 95 decibels. However, if these drivers were arrested for violating this law, they received a “repaired ticket”. This gave the driver the right to have the ticket revoked if he had installed a compliant muffler to replace the noisy muffler he had when he received the ticket.
Now, the driver simply receives an offence if the officer believes that the muffler or exhaust system does not comply with the law, without the right to repair it and return with a compliant vehicle. Exclusive use parts for competition may only be sold or used on motorcycles used in closed-circuit competitions. They may not be sold or used on a motorcycle used on or off public roads. Competition exclusive use parts are spare parts that replace, modify or change a required emission control device, such as a catalytic converter, lambda sensor, camshaft or fuel control module. 2. The vehicle was originally equipped with one or more catalytic converters, but the catalytic converter(s) shall be retained and all emission controls originally connected to the exhaust system (e.g. a lambda sensor) shall be reconnected to the exhaust system and function properly. In addition, certain vehicles may benefit from special exemptions from these laws when participating in organized races or competitions (27150.c). In addition, the sound level of motorcycle exhaust is dependent on the year of manufacture, with motorcycles manufactured before 1970 having up to 92 dbA and up to 80 dbA after 1985 (full table linked to section 27202 of section 2.5 below).
Motorcyclists take pride in their motorcycles and the engines that run them. These powerful motors can emit satisfactory roaring noises when started. This noise can also make drivers unfair targets of noise regulations and emissions regulations. California regulates motorcycle spare parts that may affect emissions. In many cases, the sale and use of emissions-related spare parts on motorcycles is prohibited unless it is a “replacement part” as defined in California or the specific application has been exempted by executive order (“EO Part”). Penalties for illegal exhaust gases depend on the type of exhaust modifications and your location. The minimum penalty for a first conviction is a minimum of $50 to a maximum of $100, with a total fee of $193. Fees can be as high as $1,105 in some cases. For subsequent offences, the fine is $100 to $250. Modifications of the exhaust gases are only illegal if the noise level is above 95 decibels. Keep in mind that California smog laws or other laws can still make your custom exhaust modifications illegal. Despite federal requirements, the EPA`s Office of Noise Reduction and Control was shut down more than 30 years ago, and the EPA says primary responsibility for resolving noise issues has been transferred to state and local governments.
Because the test procedure included in EPA regulations is not feasible for state and local governments, law enforcement used by state and local agencies typically involves testing a stationary vehicle with a variant of the SAE J1287 test procedure for off-road vehicles. Starting in 2013, on-road motorcycles will have to be listed under a new state law if they are not equipped with an exhaust system that bears the label required by EPA noise regulations. However, this requirement shall only apply to motorcycles and exhaust systems manufactured and sold from 1 January 2013. Complete California exhaust noise laws can be found in California Vehicle Code § 27150 – 27159 – Exhaust Systems. Below, we`ve highlighted two of the most important sections. Last month, we discussed in a blog post that on January 1, 2019, a new law went into effect in California giving law enforcement the right to issue bikers and other cyclists a ticket for their “modified or excessively noisy exhaust or muffler systems.” Many motorcyclists have expressed concern that this law could provide police with a legal way to target and question drivers. Learn more about how the law might affect you below and contact an experienced motorcycle attorney in San Francisco if you have any further questions. According to California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, “replacement parts” are parts that have the same impact on emissions as the original part they are intended to replace. In the case of motorcycle and ATV exhaust systems, CARB considers aftermarket exhaust systems to be replacement parts if one of the following conditions is met: (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle so as to increase or increase the noise emission of the vehicle`s engine so that the vehicle does not comply with the requirements of section 27150 or exceeds noise limits. for the vehicle type specified in article 2.5 (starting from clause 27200).