Other EquipmentNoise Limits

Section § 27200

Explanation

This law states that the DMV in California cannot register new vehicles that produce noise above a certain limit, except for certain off-road vehicles. The California Highway Patrol sets the noise test procedures, considering guidelines from the Society of Automotive Engineers. Dealers can provide certificates proving compliance with noise regulations. It's illegal to sell new vehicles that either exceed these noise limits or violate noise emission standards by the EPA, based on the Noise Control Act. The term 'register' here is the same as 'licensing' under related federal law.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not register on a dealer’s report of sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of travel under test procedures established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles may accept a dealer’s certificate as proof of compliance with this article.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(c) Test procedures for compliance with this article shall be established by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, taking into consideration the test procedures of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(d) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces a maximum noise exceeding the applicable noise limit specified in this article, and for which noise emission standards or regulations have not been adopted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574).
(e)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle, except an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), which produces noise that exceeds or in any way violates the noise emission standards or regulations adopted for such a motor vehicle by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574).
(f)CA Vehicle Code § 27200(f) As used in this section, the term “register” is equivalent to the term “licensing” as used in Section 6(e)(2) of the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574; Title 42, United States Code, Section 4905(e)(2)).
DMV registration vehicle noise limit off-highway vehicles ...

Section § 27201

Explanation

This law states that motorcycles made before 1970 have a noise limit of 92 decibels (dB). This means they shouldn't be louder than this specific noise level as measured in decibels.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the noise limit of 92 dbA shall apply to any motorcycle manufactured before 1970.
motorcycle noise limit pre-1970 motorcycles 92 dB noise regulation ...

Section § 27202

Explanation

This law section sets noise limits for motorcycles, excluding motor-driven cycles, based on the year they were manufactured. If a motorcycle was made after 1969 and before 1973, it has a noise limit of 88 decibels. For those made after 1972 and before 1975, the limit is 86 decibels. Motorcycles made after 1974 and before 1986 must not exceed 83 decibels, and those made after 1985 should stay under 80 decibels.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any motorcycle, other than a motor-driven cycle, manufactured:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27202(1) After 1969, and before 1973  ........................
88 dbA
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27202(2) After 1972, and before 1975  ........................
86 dbA
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27202(3) After 1974, and before 1986  ........................
83 dbA
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 27202(4) After 1985  ........................
80 dbA
motorcycle noise limits decibel levels noise regulations ...

Section § 27202.1

Explanation
This California law prohibits using a motorcycle without a specific federal exhaust label. If your motorcycle doesn't have this label, it's considered a mechanical violation, but police can't stop you just for this. However, they can ticket you if they pull you over for another reason. Fines range from $50 to $100 for the first offense and $100 to $250 for further offenses. If you fix the issue and show proof, the court may cancel the fine for a first-time violation. This rule applies to motorcycles and new exhaust systems made after January 1, 2013. Penalties from this law are on top of other applicable penalties, and it doesn't change other existing laws.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a person shall not park, use, or operate a motorcycle, registered in the State of California, that does not bear the required applicable federal Environmental Protection Agency exhaust system label pursuant to Subparts D (commencing with Section 205.150) and E (commencing with Section 205.164) of Part 205 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. A violation of this section shall be considered a mechanical violation and a peace officer shall not stop a motorcycle solely on a suspicion of a violation of this section. A peace officer shall cite a violation of this section as a secondary infraction.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(b) A violation of this section is punishable as follows:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(b)(1) For a first conviction, by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(b)(2) For a second or subsequent conviction, by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(c)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(c)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(c)(1) The notice to appear issued or complaint filed for a violation of this section shall require that the person to whom the notice to appear is issued, or against whom the complaint is filed, produce proof of correction pursuant to Section 40150.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(c)(2) Upon producing proof of correction to the satisfaction of the court, the court may dismiss the penalty imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) for a first violation of this section.
(d)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(d)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(d)(1) This section is applicable to a person operating a motorcycle that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, or a motorcycle with aftermarket exhaust system equipment that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2013.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(d)(2) Penalties imposed pursuant to this section are in addition to penalties imposed pursuant to any other applicable laws or regulations.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27202.1(d)(3) This section does not supersede, negate, or otherwise alter any other applicable laws or regulations.
motorcycle exhaust label EPA exhaust system secondary infraction ...

Section § 27203

Explanation

This law states that snowmobiles made after 1972 cannot exceed a noise level of 82 decibels (dbA).

For the purposes of Section 27200, the noise limit of 82 dbA shall apply to any snowmobile manufactured after 1972.
snowmobiles noise limit 82 dbA ...

Section § 27204

Explanation

This law section sets specific noise limits for motor vehicles in California based on their weight and the date they were manufactured. For vehicles weighing over 6,000 pounds manufactured between 1968 and 1972, the noise limit is 88 decibels (dbA). For those made from 1973 to 1974, it is 86 dbA, and from 1975 to 1977, it is 83 dbA. Vehicles over 8,500 pounds from 1978 to 1981 are also limited to 83 dbA.

For vehicles over 6,000 but not over 8,500 pounds made after 1977, and those over 8,500 but not over 10,000 pounds made after 1981, the noise limit is 80 dbA. Finally, vehicles over 10,000 pounds made from 1982 to 1987 must adhere to an 83 dbA limit, while those produced after 1987 must meet an 80 dbA limit.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any motor vehicle within the specified manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating and date of manufacture:
GVWR—Pounds
Date of
Manufacture
Noise
Limit—dbA
Over 6,000
after 1967 and before 1973
88
Over 6,000
after 1972 and before 1975
86
Over 6,000
after 1974 and before 1978
83
Over 8,500
after 1977 and before 1982
83
Over 6,000 but not
over 8,500
after 1977
80
Over 8,500 but not
over 10,000
after 1981
80
Over 10,000
after 1981 and before 1988
83
Over 10,000
after 1987
80
motor vehicle noise limits gross vehicle weight rating GVWR ...

Section § 27206

Explanation

This law sets specific noise limits for motor vehicles not mentioned elsewhere in the regulations, based on when they were manufactured. Vehicles made after 1967 and before 1973 have an 86 decibel limit. Vehicles made after 1972 and before 1975 have an 84 decibel limit. Vehicles manufactured after 1974 have an 80 decibel limit. These rules help manage noise pollution from vehicles.

For the purposes of Section 27200, the following noise limits shall apply to any other motor vehicle, not specified in this article, manufactured:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27206(1) After 1967, and before 1973  ........................
86 dbA
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27206(2) After 1972, and before 1975  ........................
84 dbA
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27206(3) After 1974  ........................
80 dbA
motor vehicle noise limits decibel levels noise pollution ...

Section § 27207

Explanation

This law states that heavy vehicles, over 10,000 pounds and with an engine speed governor, must not be louder than 88 decibels when tested. This sound level is measured from 50 feet away while the vehicle is stationary, with its engine revved to the maximum speed achievable by the governor. If testing at a different distance, results must be adjusted to reflect the 50-foot measurement standard. The Department will establish the testing methods, considering Department of Transportation standards.

No motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and equipped with an engine speed governor shall produce a sound level exceeding 88 dbA, measured on an open site at a distance of 50 feet from the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, when its engine is accelerated from idle with wide open throttle to governed speed with the vehicle stationary, transmission in neutral, and clutch, if any, engaged. Test procedures for compliance with this section shall be established by the department, taking into consideration the procedures of the United States Department of Transportation. The procedures may provide for measuring at other distances, in which case the measurement shall be corrected so as to provide for measurements equivalent to the noise limit established by this section measured at 50 feet.
heavy vehicle noise limit engine speed governor gross vehicle weight rating ...