Florida Exhaust Laws?
10-23-2011, 01:05 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Florida Exhaust Laws? OK so what are the laws down here in Florida. I live in orlando if that makes a difference. So whats legal/ill legal. Noise DBA's etc?
10-23-2011, 01:25 PM
#2
Um I don't know officially, but I have never gotten any tickets or probably even second glances for my exhaust. Last time I got pulled over I got complimented on how the car sounded, and at the time I was running a dumped 4" bullet.
FL is pretty lax on exhaust I think, probably because of no inspection and such.
FL is pretty lax on exhaust I think, probably because of no inspection and such.
10-23-2011, 01:43 PM
#3
I got pulled over with a borla exh open. I did a spirited 1-2 to the speed limit and has an A$$hole cop pull me over gave me a ticket for no muffler. I said look and tell me I don't have a muffler! Then I said it must be a slow night! This was a couple yrs ago in Ft. Lauderdale. I've had nothing happen in Orlando, knock on wood but I don't drive it with cutouts open...there is no written law as I know, it's up to the officer.
10-23-2011, 08:59 PM
#6
11 Second Club
Technically, it's a Federal thing. It's a Federal mandate that you're supposed to have the emission controls that came with your car in-place and functioning properly, able to meet the standards set for your model year (i.e., if your car is a 1999, it's only subject to the laws in force for 1999). They leave it up to the states to decide how to enforce this. Florida exercises the "do nothing" option other than you agree by putting a license plate on your car that you're meeting proper standards. Florida dropped its automobile inspection program due to a lack of funding back in 1982, so they have no way of really knowing assuming you don't get caught red-handed for some reason. My '73 still has its last inspection sticker from December 1982 just before the program was dissolved.
10-24-2011, 08:57 AM
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This is taken from Tampa Racing. You pretty much can't modify your exhaust to be any different than stock. What the law states is one thing, what gets enforced is another.
316.272Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine Exhaust systems, prevention of noise.--
(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation, including muffler, manifold pipe, and tailpiping to prevent excessive or unusual noise. In no event shall an exhaust system allow noise at a level which exceeds a maximum decibel level to be established by regulation of the Department of Environmental Protection as provided in s. 403.061(13) in cooperation with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a vehicle on a highway.
(2) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
316.293Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine Motor vehicle noise.--
2) OPERATING NOISE LIMITS.--No person shall operate or be permitted to operate a vehicle at any time or under any condition of roadway grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration in such a manner as to generate a sound level in excess of the following limit for the category of motor vehicle and applicable speed limit at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel under measurement procedures established under subsection (3).
(a) For motorcycles other than motor-driven cycles:
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
Before January 1, 1979 82 dB / 86 dB
On or after January 1, 1979 78 dB / 82 dB
(b) For any motor vehicle with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,000 pounds or more:
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
On or after January 1, 1975 86 dB / 90 dB
(c) For motor-driven cycles and any other motor vehicle not included in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b):
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
Before January 1, 1979 76 dB / 82 dB
On or after January 1, 1979 72 dB / 79 dB
(3) MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES.--The measurement procedures for determining compliance with this section shall be established by regulation of the Department of Environmental Protection as provided in s. 403.415(9), in cooperation with the department. Such regulations shall include the selection of measurement sites and measurement procedures and shall take into consideration accepted scientific and professional methods for the measurement of vehicular sound levels. The measurement procedures may include adjustment factors to be applied to the noise limit for measurement distances of other than 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel.
(4) APPLICABILITY.--This section applies to the total noise from a vehicle and shall not be construed as limiting or precluding the enforcement of any other provisions of this chapter relating to motor vehicle mufflers for noise control.
(5) NOISE ABATEMENT EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS.--
(a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle or any other noise-abatement device of a motor vehicle operated or to be operated upon the highways of this state in such a manner that the noise emitted by the motor vehicle is above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the highways of the state with an exhaust system or noise-abatement device so modified.
403.415Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online SunshineMotor vehicle noise.--
(1) SHORT TITLE.--This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Motor Vehicle Noise Prevention and Control Act of 1974."
(2)(a) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The intent of the Legislature is to implement the state constitutional mandate of s. 7, Art. II of the State Constitution to improve the quality of life in the state by limiting the noise of new motor vehicles sold in the state and the noise of motor vehicles used on the highways of the state.
(b) It is also the intent of the Legislature to recognize the proposed United States Environmental Protection Act Noise Commission Standards Regulations for medium and heavy-duty trucks as being the most comprehensive available and in the best interest of Florida's citizenry and, further, that such regulation shall preempt all state standards not identical to such regulation.
(3) DEFINITIONS.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in this subsection, except where the context otherwise requires:
(a) "dB A" means the composite abbreviation for A-weighted sound level, and the unit of sound level, the decibel.
(b) "Gross combination weight rating" or "GCWR" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.
(c) "Gross vehicle weight rating" or "GVWR" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
(d) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle which is self-propelled and any vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
(e) "Motorcycle" means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or a moped.
(f) "Moped" means any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels, with a motor rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground, and with a power-drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting gears by the operator after the drive system is engaged. If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.
(g) "Sound level" means the A-weighted sound pressure level measured with fast response using an instrument complying with the specification for sound level meters of the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, except that only A-weighting and fast dynamic response need be provided.
(h) "Vehicle" means any device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(i) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
(4) NEW VEHICLE NOISE LIMITS.--No person shall sell, offer for sale, or lease a new motor vehicle that produces a maximum sound level exceeding the following limits at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel under test procedures established under subsection (5)
(5) TEST PROCEDURES.--The test procedures for determining compliance with this section shall be established by regulation of the department and in cooperation with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in substantial conformance with applicable standards and recommended practices established by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., or its successor bodies, and the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, for the measurement of motor vehicle sound levels.
(6) CERTIFICATION.--The manufacturer, distributor, importer, or designated agent thereof shall file a written certificate with the department stating that the specific makes and models of motor vehicles described thereon comply with the provisions of this section. No new motor vehicle shall be sold, offered for sale, or leased unless such certificate has been filed.
(7) NOTIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION.--The department shall notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of all makes and models of motor vehicles for which valid certificates of compliance with the provisions of this section are filed.
( REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT.--
(a) No person shall sell or offer for sale for use as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle any exhaust muffler, intake muffler, or other noise abatement device which, when installed, will permit the vehicle to be operated in a manner that the emitted sound level of the vehicle is increased above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured and determined by the test procedures for new motor vehicle sound levels established under this section.
(b) The manufacturer, distributor, or importer, or designated agent thereof, shall file a written certificate with the department that his or her products sold within this state comply with the requirements of this section for their intended applications.
(9) OPERATING VEHICLE NOISE MEASUREMENTS.--The department shall establish, with the cooperation of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, measurement procedures for determining compliance of operating vehicles with the noise limits of s. 316.293(2). The department shall advise the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on technical aspects of motor vehicle noise enforcement regulations, assist in the training of enforcement officers, and administer a sound-level meter loan program for local enforcement agencies.
(10) ENACTMENT OF LOCAL ORDINANCES LIMITED.--The provisions of this section shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein, and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by this section unless expressly authorized. However, this subsection shall not prevent any local authority from enacting an ordinance when such enactment is necessary to vest jurisdiction of violation of this section in the local court.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation, including muffler, manifold pipe, and tailpiping to prevent excessive or unusual noise. In no event shall an exhaust system allow noise at a level which exceeds a maximum decibel level to be established by regulation of the Department of Environmental Protection as provided in s. 403.061(13) in cooperation with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a vehicle on a highway.
(2) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
316.293Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine Motor vehicle noise.--
2) OPERATING NOISE LIMITS.--No person shall operate or be permitted to operate a vehicle at any time or under any condition of roadway grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration in such a manner as to generate a sound level in excess of the following limit for the category of motor vehicle and applicable speed limit at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel under measurement procedures established under subsection (3).
(a) For motorcycles other than motor-driven cycles:
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
Before January 1, 1979 82 dB / 86 dB
On or after January 1, 1979 78 dB / 82 dB
(b) For any motor vehicle with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,000 pounds or more:
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
On or after January 1, 1975 86 dB / 90 dB
(c) For motor-driven cycles and any other motor vehicle not included in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b):
35 mph or less / over 35 mph
Before January 1, 1979 76 dB / 82 dB
On or after January 1, 1979 72 dB / 79 dB
(3) MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES.--The measurement procedures for determining compliance with this section shall be established by regulation of the Department of Environmental Protection as provided in s. 403.415(9), in cooperation with the department. Such regulations shall include the selection of measurement sites and measurement procedures and shall take into consideration accepted scientific and professional methods for the measurement of vehicular sound levels. The measurement procedures may include adjustment factors to be applied to the noise limit for measurement distances of other than 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel.
(4) APPLICABILITY.--This section applies to the total noise from a vehicle and shall not be construed as limiting or precluding the enforcement of any other provisions of this chapter relating to motor vehicle mufflers for noise control.
(5) NOISE ABATEMENT EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS.--
(a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle or any other noise-abatement device of a motor vehicle operated or to be operated upon the highways of this state in such a manner that the noise emitted by the motor vehicle is above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the highways of the state with an exhaust system or noise-abatement device so modified.
403.415Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online SunshineMotor vehicle noise.--
(1) SHORT TITLE.--This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Motor Vehicle Noise Prevention and Control Act of 1974."
(2)(a) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The intent of the Legislature is to implement the state constitutional mandate of s. 7, Art. II of the State Constitution to improve the quality of life in the state by limiting the noise of new motor vehicles sold in the state and the noise of motor vehicles used on the highways of the state.
(b) It is also the intent of the Legislature to recognize the proposed United States Environmental Protection Act Noise Commission Standards Regulations for medium and heavy-duty trucks as being the most comprehensive available and in the best interest of Florida's citizenry and, further, that such regulation shall preempt all state standards not identical to such regulation.
(3) DEFINITIONS.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in this subsection, except where the context otherwise requires:
(a) "dB A" means the composite abbreviation for A-weighted sound level, and the unit of sound level, the decibel.
(b) "Gross combination weight rating" or "GCWR" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.
(c) "Gross vehicle weight rating" or "GVWR" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
(d) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle which is self-propelled and any vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
(e) "Motorcycle" means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or a moped.
(f) "Moped" means any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels, with a motor rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground, and with a power-drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting gears by the operator after the drive system is engaged. If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.
(g) "Sound level" means the A-weighted sound pressure level measured with fast response using an instrument complying with the specification for sound level meters of the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, except that only A-weighting and fast dynamic response need be provided.
(h) "Vehicle" means any device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(i) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
(4) NEW VEHICLE NOISE LIMITS.--No person shall sell, offer for sale, or lease a new motor vehicle that produces a maximum sound level exceeding the following limits at a distance of 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel under test procedures established under subsection (5)
(5) TEST PROCEDURES.--The test procedures for determining compliance with this section shall be established by regulation of the department and in cooperation with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in substantial conformance with applicable standards and recommended practices established by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., or its successor bodies, and the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, for the measurement of motor vehicle sound levels.
(6) CERTIFICATION.--The manufacturer, distributor, importer, or designated agent thereof shall file a written certificate with the department stating that the specific makes and models of motor vehicles described thereon comply with the provisions of this section. No new motor vehicle shall be sold, offered for sale, or leased unless such certificate has been filed.
(7) NOTIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION.--The department shall notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of all makes and models of motor vehicles for which valid certificates of compliance with the provisions of this section are filed.
( REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT.--
(a) No person shall sell or offer for sale for use as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle any exhaust muffler, intake muffler, or other noise abatement device which, when installed, will permit the vehicle to be operated in a manner that the emitted sound level of the vehicle is increased above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured and determined by the test procedures for new motor vehicle sound levels established under this section.
(b) The manufacturer, distributor, or importer, or designated agent thereof, shall file a written certificate with the department that his or her products sold within this state comply with the requirements of this section for their intended applications.
(9) OPERATING VEHICLE NOISE MEASUREMENTS.--The department shall establish, with the cooperation of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, measurement procedures for determining compliance of operating vehicles with the noise limits of s. 316.293(2). The department shall advise the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on technical aspects of motor vehicle noise enforcement regulations, assist in the training of enforcement officers, and administer a sound-level meter loan program for local enforcement agencies.
(10) ENACTMENT OF LOCAL ORDINANCES LIMITED.--The provisions of this section shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein, and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by this section unless expressly authorized. However, this subsection shall not prevent any local authority from enacting an ordinance when such enactment is necessary to vest jurisdiction of violation of this section in the local court.
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10-24-2011, 08:58 AM
#8
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
The law states that you MAY modify your exhaust system. You may not modify it in such a way that:
-You remove any of the exhaust components
-It emits excessive pollution
-It is louder than the stock muffler
This is not a gray area. There is no fighting this. You must adhere to these guidelines or you are liable for a ticket. If your exhaust is aftermarket and even .0000001dB louder than stock you are liable for a ticket. If you are missing a part of your exhaust system you are liable for a ticket. Shops, by state law, are not to equip your car with an aftermarket muffler which increases your exhaust noise for operation on the public roadways. Replacement exhaust components must be OEM or aftermarket and as quiet as OEM.
Just because your aftermarket exhaust is stamped '50 state legal' does not mean you cannot be ticketed. You most certianly can. I do not claim to be an expert on what they mean by 50 state legal, but I can tell you that it is NOT legal to operate a motor vehicle with an aftermarket exhaust that makes it louder. Period.
There is also nothing in this statute which says the officer has to use a decibel meter to measure your exhaust. It does not have to be louder than a certain decibel to be illegal. It simply has to be louder than stock. While the law instructs specific areas to set their own methods of measurement, it does not take a decibel meter to figure out if an exhaust is louder than stock.
The law states that you MAY modify your exhaust system. You may not modify it in such a way that:
-You remove any of the exhaust components
-It emits excessive pollution
-It is louder than the stock muffler
This is not a gray area. There is no fighting this. You must adhere to these guidelines or you are liable for a ticket. If your exhaust is aftermarket and even .0000001dB louder than stock you are liable for a ticket. If you are missing a part of your exhaust system you are liable for a ticket. Shops, by state law, are not to equip your car with an aftermarket muffler which increases your exhaust noise for operation on the public roadways. Replacement exhaust components must be OEM or aftermarket and as quiet as OEM.
Just because your aftermarket exhaust is stamped '50 state legal' does not mean you cannot be ticketed. You most certianly can. I do not claim to be an expert on what they mean by 50 state legal, but I can tell you that it is NOT legal to operate a motor vehicle with an aftermarket exhaust that makes it louder. Period.
There is also nothing in this statute which says the officer has to use a decibel meter to measure your exhaust. It does not have to be louder than a certain decibel to be illegal. It simply has to be louder than stock. While the law instructs specific areas to set their own methods of measurement, it does not take a decibel meter to figure out if an exhaust is louder than stock.
10-24-2011, 10:29 AM
#9
screw all that. i live in jax and i drive with an open cutout every day. there are no emissions testing in flordia and for a noise complaint the law states it must exceed 10 min on the street/house being complained on and must exceed a certain decible. trust me ive asked my neighbor who is a cop, and i drive open cutout right past him everyday. as long as your not reving loud for 10 min at park then im sure you will be fine.
10-24-2011, 01:50 PM
#10
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I used to run with my cutout open all the time, before i got the set up i have now I now have a bullet muffler that dumps before axle and I have not had a problem yet.
I'm not saying some ahole who's having a bad day won't have a wild hair crawl up his a$$ and give me a hard time. Anythings possible. Hell my headlights and taillights are tinted dark, and I have been pulled over 2 times since I've had them done and nothing. What's going to happen will happen.
I'm not saying some ahole who's having a bad day won't have a wild hair crawl up his a$$ and give me a hard time. Anythings possible. Hell my headlights and taillights are tinted dark, and I have been pulled over 2 times since I've had them done and nothing. What's going to happen will happen.
Last edited by skat; 10-24-2011 at 02:09 PM.
10-24-2011, 02:33 PM
#12
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there are a few towns i avoid all together, because the local yocals have a rep for being dicks, and running the town the way they see fit.
10-24-2011, 07:41 PM
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I just ordered TSP true duals to go on my H/C/I trans am. I don't see a problem with the exhaust in my area. Now if your acting stupid I'd see potential in getting stopped for a bogus reason. Mind your own business and act like an adult and you will be fine.
10-24-2011, 08:30 PM
#16
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around my area, if it's a jap car with tin can exhaust, you're going to get pulled over sooner or later, now if it's a domestic V8 car, and you don't drive like an ***, they don't care. Hell, i drove my car around one time open intermediate pipe, turned out in front of the rear axle, drove past, idled in front, accelerated from a light in front of, I think 5 or 6 different sheriff deputies and none of them even followed me. It's all i how you drive.
10-24-2011, 09:16 PM
#18
Staging Lane
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Just asking cause my manager at my apartment building is a dick he said I had to change my exhaust its to loud. I said LOL. I haven't even hit the gas yet I idle out of here. I told you about my car before I eve even signed the lease and anyways **** off!!! Show me your green card.....and he turned around and left, guess that says it all......then his secretary told me they would tow my car!! So I went talked to the orange county prosecutor to see if they could legally tow my car. They said in no way shape or form can they tow a resident's car who has signed a lease unless it is leaking oil, coolant or some sort of pollution or has not been moved for 30 days. If they do they would be subject to pay to get it out of impound and could face criminal charges for illegally towing a legal car. The prosecutor was saposed to call him friday. I have not heard nothing since thursday afternoon. Been all over the world lived in 8 different states and never have met the types of all around dicks as I have the last few months here. (No offense to people who are not dicks and don't walk around in their own world like their **** don't stink). Crazy!!...o -yeah when we got into it thursday I recorded the whole thing on my phone and he was trying to dime out people who live here also who have complained. But funny thing is its the same people who talk to me about my car all the time. So either they are very two faced or he just has a problem with me!! 
