Originally Posted by Just Dave
rv7
The thing you need to realize about the statutes is that there are rules stating how loud the exhaust can be, but that is trumped by the rule that says you cannot put a louder exhaust on a car than it came with from the factory. If you had a lawyer he could've gotten you off because how does the cop know your HKS is louder than stock?
But at least you had fun and learned something.
Good point, and it is one that was brought up in court. I brought up the fact that my exaust being "extremely loud" is incredibly subjective and there is no statute that allows officers to make this judgement call. The judge asked the officer (remember, we are both under oath) if he has heard a stock exhaust system on the same make and model of car. Although it was pretty obvious that he hadn't, the officer replied "Yes, it is my testimony that I have heard a stock exhaust system on this make and model of car and the exhaust on Mr. XXX's car is definitely louder." That sealed the deal for the judge. Again, he was in a hurry to move on to the next case.
However, should this happen again to me or any of you, I've found a possible exemption from this statute. Here is the statute again ,but notice the expemtions in subsection 6 :
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.
(6) EXEMPT VEHICLES.--The following are exempt from the operation of this act:
(a) Emergency vehicles operating as specified in s.
316.072(5)(a).
(b) Any motor vehicle engaged in a professional or amateur sanctioned, competitive sports event for which admission or entry fee is charged, or practice or time trials for such event.
(c) Any motor vehicle engaged in a manufacturer's engineering, design, or equipment test.
(d) Construction or agricultural equipment either on a job site or traveling on the highway
Exemption (b) states that if I am engaged in in practice for an amateur sanctioned, competetive sports event, for which admission or entry fee is charged, I am exempt. Well what the hell does that mean you might ask. Since I always preregister for upcoming autocrosses, every time I drive I am engaged in practice for the amateur sanctioned, competitive sports event, for which I've paid an entry fee. I wish I had read this earlier, because it is true that every time I drive I am practicing my heel-toe, rev-matching, left foot braking, and other necessary skills in preparation for my driving events.
It may also be possible for some of you to obtain documentation from a manufacturer that states that you are testing a product for them.....a long term test perhaps. This would exempt you under exemption (c).
Let's hope there is no next time for me, but if so, I've got some new ammo.
Happy Holidays to all of you.