Exhaust noise limits

kev-yorks · October 21, 2005, 10:19:42 PM

Are there any legal requirements as regards exhaust noise for cars? Bikes need there cans stamping to show there legal, but whats the requirements for cars. I\'ve asked the local MOT tester and as far as he\'s concerned he doesn\'t have the facilities to check noise levels so anything goes. Just wondered what would happen when pulled over by the old bill as is bound to happen before long as the Cosmo\'s now really loud and spitting decent flames out of the rear with the new exhaust system in place. :flamed
Kevin

MikeLMR · October 21, 2005, 10:32:19 PM

Stage rally cars which have to be MOT\'d run at 101Db(A) at 1/2 metre and at 4500rpm I think the noise limit for the road lurks somewhere within the construction and use regulations. IIRC the SVA has an exhaust noise limit and that should be the one thats legal for the road.

tr1cky · October 21, 2005, 10:32:39 PM

I wouldnt mind knowing the answer to this too :wave

FD3SNuttah · October 21, 2005, 10:33:20 PM

heres what a police officer on our local "cruise community" forum said.... top bloke he always answers our legal issues!

Exhaust noise is extremely difficult to prove...

I\'m a vehicle examiner and even I have problems...

To be prosecuted for excessive noise...really (to the letter of the law)...must be tested in a sound proof room...

and there aren\'t any !

The opinion of the police officer usually suffices...it\'s the same law as excess noise from a stereo....

Personally, excess noise just makes me pay more attention to that vehicle and anything wrong the driver might be doing..

FD3SNuttah · October 21, 2005, 10:34:43 PM

when quizzed about loud stereos he went on to say in a later post..

"Excess noise emitting from vehicle" is a Â£30 fixed penalty, and can take the form of music from stereo..

This can also lead to ADMIN171 notices being issued...ie: where the vehicle has been causing distress, harrasement and annoyance to public...

MikeLMR · October 21, 2005, 10:40:51 PM

it is very easy to set a limit for exhaust noise and measure it.

Thousands if not hundreds of thousands of tests are performed each year at motorsport events to keep the noise levels down. If anyone requires a sound meter I have one I can bring to events (I just need reminding plenty of times so I don\'t forget!)

FD3SNuttah · October 21, 2005, 10:42:20 PM

thats probably when you will need to conform to sound levels, theres no clear cut law on this and you would probably be able to contest it in court unless someone has complained about you, then you might end up with an asbo and be doing some community service with the rest of the "hoodies"

MikeLMR · October 21, 2005, 10:47:33 PM

not much chance of that with my car 89Db(a) at 4000rpm @ 1/2 metre, even 101Db(a) is fairly quiet.

after a bit of quick look on the kit car websites I\'m begining to think that that stage rally 101Db(a) measured at 3/4 max rpm and at 1/2 metre from the exhaust tip is quite likely the limit mentioned somewhere in the depths of the construction and use act.

kev-yorks · October 21, 2005, 11:15:20 PM

Quote from: MikeLMRit is very easy to set a limit for exhaust noise and measure it.

Thousands if not hundreds of thousands of tests are performed each year at motorsport events to keep the noise levels down. If anyone requires a sound meter I have one I can bring to events (I just need reminding plenty of times so I don\'t forget!)

I probably take you up on that one Mike if you don\'t mind
Kevin

Brett · October 21, 2005, 11:26:05 PM

Hmmmm mine is over 90dbl at idle with the bung removed..... in the cabin under accelleration it went off the scale of the companies meter which is good for 105dbl...

However I\'ve been followed by police cars etc and never been pulled. As long as you drive it like an arse through busy streets/towns then I dont think anone would raise an objection.

hotstepper1973 · October 21, 2005, 11:34:52 PM

Well when i went for my sva test they noise tested my rex and fortunately for me at the time it passed the noise level as in was below 100db.

Also i had to then a year later mot the same vehicle but had some mods on it so when at mot he said it was over the noise level so silencer purchased to reduce noise.

But i am still in agreement with some of you guys that aslong as you dont drive steady police have never bothered me.

Would like to say at this point that i wish certain racetracks adopted the same attitude as police sorry for going off thread with this.

shaunwil · October 22, 2005, 11:49:33 AM

Its more adapted to the tracks now, jons car sounded awesome at donny, but was 102db. So it was black flagged

I think it would more be a case of if you are leavig early mornings and the neighbours complain to the police it would get you in bother !

Just out of interest for MikeLMR, does this mean that you will do the db test on carls 4 rotor

? :p Flame proof suit to the ready !!

Shaun