California Loud Muffler Law (AB 1824)

Summary

California law strictly prohibits modifying a car or motorcycle exhaust system to make it louder than the factory standard, and AB 1824 made the penalties much harsher.

Rights & Rules

01.
It is illegal to modify your exhaust system to amplify or increase the noise of your vehicle.
02.
Light-duty vehicles (cars, pickup trucks) must emit no more than 95 decibels of noise under standard testing conditions.
03.
If a police officer pulls you over for a loud exhaust, they are no longer allowed to issue a 'fix-it ticket' (where you avoid a fine by proving you fixed the car).
04.
You will immediately receive a mandatory fine instead of a fix-it ticket.

Penalties

01.
The fine for a modified exhaust is typically around $197 for the first offense. However, state regulators and local cities are increasingly using automated 'noise cameras' to issue tickets by mail.

Verified Citations

California Vehicle Code Section 27150 & 27151

Source

"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... No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle..."