California Muscle Cars: Exempt From Exhaust Laws?

California's exhaust noise laws have been a topic of debate among car enthusiasts, with some even calling it a shakedown or extortion. The laws, which have been in place since 2003, state that all cars and motor vehicles in California must be equipped with a muffler and that exhaust modifications must not increase the noise level above 95 decibels. While these laws have not changed, the way they are enforced has. Previously, individuals with loud exhausts were issued a fix-it ticket, giving them time to correct the issue. However, since 2019, violating the exhaust noise laws can result in an immediate fine of up to $1,000. This change has sparked concerns about profiling and harassment of people with modified cars, as well as the subjective nature of determining excessive noise. The laws apply to both in-state and out-of-state vehicles, which has led to some travellers cancelling their trips to California.

California exhaust noise laws for out-of-state vehicles

California has strict laws regarding vehicle exhaust noise. The California Vehicle Code § 27150–27159 outlines the relevant laws and legislation pertaining to car exhaust noise in the state. The legal noise limit for cars in California is 95 decibels, excluding motorcycles. This limit has been in place since 2003 and was not changed by the Assembly Bill 1824, which was enacted in 2019.

All cars and other motor vehicles in California must be equipped with a muffler, and any exhaust modifications must not increase the noise above 95 decibels. The muffler must be in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent excessive or unusual noise. It is prohibited to equip the muffler or exhaust system with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

The law applies to all vehicles registered in California, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state vehicles. However, there are special exemptions for certain vehicles participating in organized racing or competitive events.

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) offers a program where consumers can seek a certificate of compliance demonstrating that their exhaust emits no more than 95 decibels. This program may allow courts to dismiss citations for exhaust systems that have been tested and certified.

Violating the California exhaust noise law may result in immediate fines, and penalties for illegal exhaust depend on the type of exhaust modifications and can range from $50 to upwards of $1,000 for the first conviction.

California exhaust noise laws for motorcycles

California's exhaust noise laws apply to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles. However, motorcycles have their own exhaust noise standards, which are dependent on their year of manufacture.

Motorcycles manufactured before 1970 can have a noise level of up to 92 decibels (dbA), while those manufactured after 1985 must not exceed 80 dbA. For motorcycles manufactured between 1970 and 1985, the allowable noise level gradually decreases from 88 dbA to 83 dbA. These guidelines are laid out in the California Vehicle Codes.

The California Vehicle Code also prohibits the use of "whistle-tip" type modifiers for motorcycle exhaust systems. A "whistle-tip" is defined as a device applied to, or a modification of, a motor vehicle's exhaust pipe, with the sole purpose of creating a high-pitched or shrieking noise when the vehicle is operated.

In terms of enforcement, California Assembly Bill 1824 (A.B. 1824), which came into effect in January 2019, amended how law enforcement officials may issue citations for exhaust noise violations. Under this bill, law enforcement officers are required to issue immediate fines for violating exhaust noise levels, rather than the previous practice of providing a "fix-it" ticket, which allowed for 30 days to correct the violation. However, in late 2019, this was changed back to allow for "fix-it" tickets for motorcycle noise violations, giving riders a chance to rectify the issue and avoid an immediate fine of around $200.

California exhaust noise laws for muscle cars

California's exhaust noise laws apply to all motor vehicles, including muscle cars.

California's exhaust noise laws are governed by California Vehicle Code § 27150 – 27159 – Exhaust Systems. The relevant sections are Vehicle Code 21750 and Vehicle Code 27151.

Vehicle Code 21750 states that:

> Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

Vehicle Code 27151 states that:

> No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle [...] exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.

For motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, excluding motorcycles, the sound level must not exceed 95 decibels when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 (May 1998).

These laws apply to both in-state and out-of-state vehicles. However, the enforcement of these laws may vary depending on the discretion of the police officer. While some officers may choose to warn or release out-of-state drivers, others may issue citations and fines.

It is important to note that the laws regarding exhaust noise levels and modifications may change over time, and it is the responsibility of vehicle owners to stay informed about the current regulations.

California exhaust noise laws for in-state vehicles

California's exhaust noise laws apply to all in-state vehicles.

California Assembly Bill (A.B.) 1824, signed into law in June 2018, amended how law enforcement officials may issue citations for exhaust noise violations. The bill did not change existing laws pertaining to exhaust noise or the sale and installation of aftermarket exhaust systems.

California's exhaust noise laws require that:

• All cars and other motor vehicles in California must be equipped with a muffler.
• Any exhaust modifications must not increase the exhaust noise above 95 decibels.
• Motorcycles manufactured after 1985 may not exceed 80 decibels.

The key changes introduced by A.B. 1824 are:

• Motorists cited for violating the current California exhaust noise law may now receive an immediate fine, instead of a "fix-it" ticket, which previously allowed 30 days to correct the violation.
• The suggested base fine/fee for a first conviction is $25, with a total fee of $193.

It is important to note that California's exhaust noise laws do not apply to pre-smog-era cars (1975 and older).

California exhaust noise laws for classic cars

California's exhaust noise laws apply to all motor vehicles, including classic cars. The laws are outlined in California Vehicle Code § 27150 – 27159 – Exhaust Systems.

The laws state that all cars and other motor vehicles in California must be equipped with a muffler. Any exhaust modifications must not increase the exhaust noise above 95 decibels. This limit of 95 decibels has been in place since 2003 and was not changed by the introduction of Assembly Bill 1824 (AB 1824) in 2019.

The key sections of the California Vehicle Code relating to exhaust noise are:

• Vehicle Code 27150 – Adequate Muffler Needed: This section requires that every motor vehicle be equipped with an adequate muffler that is properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. It also prohibits the use of bypass, cutout, or similar devices in the exhaust system or muffler.
• Vehicle Code 27151 – Modification of Exhaust Systems: This section states that no one shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner that will increase the noise emitted by the vehicle beyond the legal limit. It also sets the noise limit for vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds (excluding motorcycles) at 95 decibels or less.

It is worth noting that certain vehicles, including classic cars, can get special exemptions from these laws when participating in organized racing or competitive events.

The penalties for violating California's exhaust noise laws can be steep, with fines ranging from $50 to upwards of $1,000 for a first conviction. If you are found to have an excessively loud exhaust, you will be required to make your vehicle's exhaust compliant with the law and may have to undergo a vehicle inspection, which can result in additional financial penalties.

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