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Behind-the-Wheel

Dear Cop - Noisy Mufflers

I would like to know what the laws are regarding vehicle mufflers. My neighbour has been driving his truck without one for at least 4 months. I have also noticed that some people purposely add something to their vehicle to make is sound like it doesn't have a muffler (or maybe it's supposed to make their vehicle sound racy), in any event it makes for a noisy vehicle.

I will begin by writing about exhaust systems and the loud noises associated with illegal exhaust systems on motor vehicles and motorcycles in B.C. The R.C.M.P. is the enforcing agency for noisy vehicles. Please keep in mind that we are presently trying to concentrate our enforcement and education for reducing the amount of collisions and fatal crashes on our roadways. We try to deal with loud noises from vehicle exhaust systems, time permitted, but it is sporadic at best. I have spoken to my boss about arranging to have more vehicle inspections on the roadways of the Central Okanagan for the spring of 2005. These inspections would be conducted without notice in the Central Okanagan along with the assistance of Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Inspectors.

Mufflers

The following are the laws for exhaust systems for B.C.:

Section 7.03 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler consisting of a series of pipes or chambers which ensures that the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise.

Cut-outs prohibited

(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine when the muffler with which the vehicle is equipped is cut out or disconnected from the engine.
Part removal prohibited
(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler from which has been removed any baffle plate or other part.
Alteration prohibited
(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler the exhaust outlet of which has been opened or widened.
Noise increase or flames prohibited
(5) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler or exhaust system to which is attached any device which increases the noise of the expulsion of the gases from the engine or allows a flame to be emitted from the exhaust system.

Failure to comply with Unnecessary Noise, the excessive noise from exhausts systems, contrary to Section 7A.01 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations will result in a fine of $109.

The operator of the vehicle stopped for this offence will also be issued a Notice And Order which will require the vehicle to be inspected within 30 days at a Certified Inspection Station. The owner of the vehicle will be responsible for all repairs to the vehicle. Failure to comply with the Notice and Order within 30 days results in a fine of $598 and your licence plates seized by police and your vehicle towed at your expense to a Certified Inspection Station immediately.

Standards of safety and repair

Section 7.09 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations indicates that the standards of safety and repair set out in the Schedule to this Division shall be standards of safety and repair of motor vehicles and trailers for the purpose of the Act and these regulations.

Standards for the Approval of a Motor Vehicle

Vehicle noise

Section 27 of Standards for the Approval of a Motor Vehicle indicates that a motor vehicle shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler which complies with section 7.03 of the regulations.

The opinion of an inspector as to whether the engine and exhaust noise is greater than that made by other vehicles in good condition of comparable size, horsepower, piston displacement or compression ratio shall determine whether exhaust gases are expelled with excessive noise. When tested in an inspection station, the vehicle engine, any auxiliary engine and exhaust level shall not exceed Table 3 standards.

Table 3

Class of Vehicle - Maximum Allowable Sound Pressure Level DBA

Light duty - 83

Gasoline-driven heavy duty - 88

Motorcycles - 91

Diesel-driven heavy duty - 93

The Central Okanagan Traffic Services has the hand held decibel testers used for testing the noise emitted from exhaust systems and the entire section is going to be certified in the use of these testers by the spring of 2005.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



More Behind the Wheel articles

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About the Author

Tim Schewe is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. He has been writing his column for most of the 20 years of his service in the RCMP.

The column was 'The Beat Goes On' in Fort St. John, 'Traffic Tips' in the South Okanagan and now 'Behind the Wheel' on Vancouver Island and here on Castanet.net.

Schewe retired from the force in January of 2006, but the column has become a habit, and continues.

To comment, please email

To learn more, visit DriveSmartBC



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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