My vehicle was parked all day in a transit parking station (not running) and unattended, upon returning to my car i discovered that the vehicle was ticketed for vc 27151 (ticket written to my wife's name since she is the registered owner) , which in my definition upon research basically means altering my muffler to make it loud ( i have a stainless steel muffler with a 3" tip, according to the manufacturer is a replacement oem muffler - i have docs to prove). The officer obviously did not follow the CHP guidelines in writing this ticket. I am getting my car tested for sound at a referee station, my car is quiet, not loud at all. My problem with this is that the officer did not follow guidelines...JERK! By the way, there is a $100 fine, after i get the ticket signed off do i still need to pay the fine?

CHP BULLETIN NO. 98-100

EXCESSIVE NOISE ENFORCEMENT
PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES


The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Commercial Vehicle Section (CVS), has received many inquiries about excessive noise emitted by passenger vehicles, light trucks and motorcycles. Enforcement personnel and the public have inquired regarding enforcement of the Vehicle Code (VC) sections pertaining to excessive noise emitted by these vehicles.

Excessive noise is primarily a nuisance issue rathers than a safety concern, and determination of excessive noise is subjective. For this reason, enforcement personnel are to exercise sound professional judgment in making a determination of violation. The following guidelines and attached question and answer sheet (Attachment A) provide guidance to enforcement personnel regarding appropriate enforcement procedures.

Enforcement Guidelines

The only drivers who should be cited are those whose vehicles:

1) are not equipped with a muffler;
2) clearly emit an offensive, harsh, excessive noise, or,
3) have a clearly defective exhaust system (holes, leaks, etc.).

Clearing Citations

When clearing excessive noise citations issued by the CHP or allied agencies, personnel are to consider exhaust systems in compliance if they incorporate a reasonably effective muffler, do not emit an offensive, harsh, excessive noise, and appear to be in good repair.


VC 27151 Modification of Exhaust Systems


27151. (a) 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 so that the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.

(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 382, Sec. 1; amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 92, Sec. 10.)

 

no you will not have to pay the fine, just a 10-20$ fee when you pay the ticket at the courthouse.

that is horse**** sorry that happened. i got pulled over for my exhaust last weekend, cop had just finished with someone else jumps behind me, puts his spot light on my exhaust and pulls me. i was going 35 in a 35 too. couldnt do **** though cuz he got a emergency call

 

That's bull****, now they're giving modified exhaust tickets to parked cars!? So he's basing his judgement on how it sounds by how it looks, and its only a 3" tip!? Im ****ing pissed for u bro!

 

my wife is really pissed...ticket is in her name, im going to contra costa college next week (referee station)...yeah...the catback looks loud...so it probably is...what mentality!

 

wow fight it man

once you get tested at the ref, your fees will drop.

g'luck

 

profiling imports just gets worst and worst man
I should get the gt bodykit so I can get a speeding ticket for being parked in front of my work place but looking "fast"

 

Reverse into your parking space. (if it's not on the street)

 

i normally do that...but wtf! i did nothing wrong.....and the car was not in operation!!!!***** *** CHP

 

It's not a moving violation, and will not affect insurance. There is no points for this type of ticket.

just get it tested and signed off.

 

we should have a ticket complaint subforum

 

+1! Wow im glad im typing and not talking cuz my mouth was like when i read that!

Hope everything goes your way on this one! Officer number on the ticket?

 

What the hell. A noise violation for a parked car? How do they know how loud your car is. That's crap.

 

yup, i was like....huh?...what just hit me?

 

CHP officer # 18036..out of Martinez field office, oh and get this, he issued the ticket last friday eveving at 5:40 pm...it was dark so he was looking to get someone...i guess i was the lucky bastard!

 

Next thing you know cops will be giving us speeding tickets when we are parked just because our cars look fast.