Got a fix-it ticket in the SC tonight.

[Rick Lee]

I got pulled over in Fairfax tonight while coming home from a test drive after doing a lot of work on the SC. I was carrying concealed and this is the first time a cop actually asked to see my permit. Anyway, being friendly and cooperative didn't get me out of a ticket for my exhaust being too loud. It's a fix-it ticket, but I forgot to ask the cop how I can prove I've "fixed it". Do they have some county inspection station where I can get a voucher and then take it to court, should I decide to swap my muffler (temporarily)? This is an $85 ticket. Not sure what to do. Thanks.

[Oh Haha]

Just call the number on the ticket. They should be able to tell you where you can go to get it signed off. Slap a quieter muffler on it for the test and you save $85.00. I got one of these types of tickets once for running slicks onthe street. I went to the Sheriff's office and had a deputy look at my street tires. He made a note on the ticket that the "problem" was repaired. I then took the ticket to the traffic violation dept. and they threw it out.

[Rick Lee]

Number on the ticket is a recording of fine amounts for the most common infractions.

[bell]

i've ran into similar situations......i've never had one of these violations "thrown out", even after it was signed off that it was corrected........this is ohio though.

[wcc]

You could contest the ticket. Cause how does the cop KNOW it is too loud. Did he test the decibels your exhaust is making? The State allows up to a certain number in loudness anything above that is illegal. If he didn't test your car on site then it is just his "opinion" it is too loud. Find out what your State allows and go to the State testing facility and have them test it and give you an official reading and if you pass contest the ticket and keep the paper in your car if it happens again.

If the testing facility is too far away call your local State Police post and I'm sure they have the same testing equipment.

I have a friend that works for State of MI that does this exact job. He's gotten lots of people out of paying tickets or going through the hassle of changing mufflers etc. Just by taking a few measurements. I was going to take my Duc over for a test cause it's pretty loud. If I ever get that muffler on the 930, if it's too loud I was going to have him measure it too.

[928ram]

Last time I got one of these (many years and states ago), it was just like what Wayne did; find any LEO to sign off that it's repaired and no fine.

[wcc]

This is a little different situation. Just like he said in his post - How would the new LEO know that he actually changed it?-

I suppose you could try to have them just sign off on it, just tell them that the other one was WAY louder. But they may not accept the one you have. This isn't like window tint, slicks, windshield, tail light, etc... Something that is obviously fixed. Get it tested and you'll KNOW where you stand.

Let us know what happens.

[Par911]

just another reason why I cringe when in VA....

[mschuep]

I would check the state and local codes in your area, or find someone to ask about the code....Sometimes things like mufflers are subjective, no overall number is passing or failing, and the codes range widely from town to town, that are different than the statewide code, if there is one.

[Jeff Higgins]

This is one of their favorite ways to hassle bikers. At least here in Washington, if he did not test it under controled conditions with a certified dB meter, and he is certified to operate that meter, the court has no choice but to throw it out. The problem is you still have to show up in court, so they win a minor victory anyway. Check your local laws, though; as others have stated, they vary widely. If you can contest it by mail, and the law is the same as it is here, it would be very easy to write a note pointing out the fact that no testing equipment was used.

[Rick Lee]

Ok, just did some research. The law makes no mention of a decibel level. It only says exhaust has to be "standard factory equipment or comparable". I have SSI's and a B&B 2 in/out. The law also states something about excessive noise, which is defined only by the level allowed by the original equipment. Anyone know where I can get a spec. sheet on the US-spec. OEM 1983 SC exhaust? I guess that would be a starting point. But then I called the court and the lady said the state and county have no facilities for testing noise levels or issuing vouchers or anything to take to the judge. So how do I prove something that can't be seen?

[wcc]

I would take it in to a State Police Post, hopefully you get a young guy, and tell them that you put the factory muffler back on. How are they going to know that isn't the factory one? See if he signs off on it. That's what I would do.

[VaSteve]

Did they take photos of the muffler you had? Just got back with the one you currently have and tell them you "fixed" it. You have a valid inspection, so tell them to bite you.

[Noah930]

I received a similar ticket years ago in California. CHP subjectively assessed that it was too loud (as I gently blipped the throttle to open up a little space behind me so he could merge into thick traffic). Vehicle code 27151. No one actually measures the decibels. Heck, no LEO's even know exactly what the dB numbers are, as listed in the vehicle code. The Sheriff run a couple facilities to inspect vehicles for stuff like this, but when I showed up, they refused to even put a dB meter to it--just assessed it subjectively, also. So I went to the CHP office (same one as on CHiPs, BTW) looked up the values, borrowed a RadioShack dB meter from a friend, and tested the thing myself. I went to court, presented my evidence (I didn't elaborate on the fact that I tested it myself--just said that it was tested), and the charge was thrown out. Kept all that paperwork in my car in case I ever got pulled over again.

[Rick Lee]

Well, we don't even have any stations to do such testing in VA. I doubt my testing it myself will help much with the judge. The car is loud, but the exhaust is not defective and it certainly complies with the vague wording of the law.

[vash]

radio shack sells a cheap, fairly accurate decible meter.

[asphaltgambler]

I'd be very curious as too what 'too loud' is. Is it defined as a decibel reading?

[Rick Lee]

This is the law I'm charged with violating.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1049

[mschuep]

this is the kicker

"An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make."

1) Argue you are not louder than stock, 2) Take it in and tell them it is stock, 3) Switch back to stock

1) is a pita, and would most likely involve some sort of court ruling, it could be easy, but could get ugly if you got an a-hole judge. I am an acoustical consultant so I could tell you about the ugly if you want.
2) is a lie, could also work if you got lucky
3) is pretty easy and would most likely work

[Jims5543]

Can't you just pay the $85 and move on?