VA Officers Help Please :) Exhaust Questions

[Saban]

(First off I have searched, but nothing came back with the answer I needed.)

I am not sure how the exhaust law works in my state. My work colleague was pulled over for having loud exhaust (Working Cat and muffler at the time of the stop) and the State Trooper that pulled him over, told him, that it was too loud and wrote him a ticket for it.

Is there a set standard/test on how loud a vehicle exhaust can be?

Is there a decibel meter device (that you can use in the field) that can be used to verify the level of noise created by the exhaust?

If so, what's the limit, 95 decibels?


Please inform me
(I want to have an aftermarket exhaust on my car one day, and I don't want to get pulled for just having one)

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Virginia Code:

§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.

No person shall drive and no owner of a motor vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.

The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a motor vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block.

Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

In other words, you are violating Virginia Law if your exhaust is any louder than the stock exhaust is/would be. There isn't a dB rating.

[Saban]

Thank you for your help!

All I can say is WOW! So the aftermarket exhaust has to has to be as quiet as the stock O.E.M exhaust, WOW... (okay, still in shock)


Well that's good to know, I don't want to ask for a decebel meter sound test when there is no such thing :(

That also make sense, b/c I was also told the only way you get out of this type of ticket is if you put back on your O.E.M. exhaust. :(

[Saban]

Do you know If there are any laws trying to change
Virginia Code:

§ 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.

I am refering to allowing aftermarket exhaust a higher noise level, but not excessive.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Since the General Assembly isn't in session at the moment, I would say 'no'. You can keep track of such things by going to: http://legis.state.va.us/Laws/CodeofVa.htm (Bills & Resolutions ore on the right).