Fixed Penalty Notice for exhaust noise 97db
Discussion
Not mine, but reposting from a member on the VX forum.
Would welcome your thoughts, as I wasn't even aware that there were motoring laws that covered this:
Background:
Bad day today; I got pulled over and stopped for a noise test after I overtook a car on a double lane slip lane (safe manouver of a car doing 40 mph on a 60mph slip lane). They did the usual checks and then wanted to use their kit which the government have just invested in and test the noise output of my car, apparently this kit costs 2k per kit. I got asked for idle check first, of whcih he said that the initial fire up also counted, which put it at 83, but then came to rest at 77. I then was asked the hold it at 4.5k revs three times and it came out at 97.8, 97.6 and 97.7.
I was then given a fixed penalty notice under Regulation 54 of the Construction Use Regs of 1986. Of which this details that a car can not exceed the noise output of a vechicle from standard how it left the factory.
I know a lot of or cars have different exhausts from standard, with the FPN I was told that if I got stopped again then it would mean an instant court summons under the antisocial behaviour act. Obviously I am very keen for this not to happen, and, I am, quite worried. The police officer was very clear and very helpful and quite sympathetic, noting that it wasnt a garry boy exhaust as was clearly a car that I do race, he even went on to say that he knew someone with a VX, he was very helpful and I can not fault him in his carrying out of his duty.
Also:
I was told that there are guidelines on the noise levels allowed on the road, of which he said that they have this at 90db being the upper limit. I am currently trying to find these guidelines in written form, as the actual statement I was shown from the Construction Use Regs was somewhat brief. Again, the officer was very helpful in saying that I could get a retest at any time, without prosecution or harassment and he was very helpful in his advice and offers of help; so much to the point that he said that he was glad that I was taking such an interest.
Would welcome your thoughts, as I wasn't even aware that there were motoring laws that covered this:
Background:
Bad day today; I got pulled over and stopped for a noise test after I overtook a car on a double lane slip lane (safe manouver of a car doing 40 mph on a 60mph slip lane). They did the usual checks and then wanted to use their kit which the government have just invested in and test the noise output of my car, apparently this kit costs 2k per kit. I got asked for idle check first, of whcih he said that the initial fire up also counted, which put it at 83, but then came to rest at 77. I then was asked the hold it at 4.5k revs three times and it came out at 97.8, 97.6 and 97.7.
I was then given a fixed penalty notice under Regulation 54 of the Construction Use Regs of 1986. Of which this details that a car can not exceed the noise output of a vechicle from standard how it left the factory.
I know a lot of or cars have different exhausts from standard, with the FPN I was told that if I got stopped again then it would mean an instant court summons under the antisocial behaviour act. Obviously I am very keen for this not to happen, and, I am, quite worried. The police officer was very clear and very helpful and quite sympathetic, noting that it wasnt a garry boy exhaust as was clearly a car that I do race, he even went on to say that he knew someone with a VX, he was very helpful and I can not fault him in his carrying out of his duty.
Also:
I was told that there are guidelines on the noise levels allowed on the road, of which he said that they have this at 90db being the upper limit. I am currently trying to find these guidelines in written form, as the actual statement I was shown from the Construction Use Regs was somewhat brief. Again, the officer was very helpful in saying that I could get a retest at any time, without prosecution or harassment and he was very helpful in his advice and offers of help; so much to the point that he said that he was glad that I was taking such an interest.
DIW35 said:
I have a sneaky feeling that this piece of legislation was originally aimed at bikers, who probably have a greater propensity for putting noisier third party exhausts on their machines than the average motorist would.
This would appear to be the case.lifted from another forum about bikes: (included everything as I thought it was interesting)
1934. Speed limits introduced.
1935. Cats eyes introduced.
1947. First Honda Produced.
1949. First Kawasaki Produced.
1950. First Ducati's produced.
1952. First Suzuki produced
1954. First Yamaha produced.
1968. First Aprilia produced.
1970. 86 decibel noise limit introduced for motorcycles larger than 125cc (not implemented until 1982)
1971. Motorcycles first used after 1/1/71 required to be equipped with dipped beam headlight
1971. All motorcycle riders required to have passenger insurance
1973. Wearing of crash helmets made compulsory for all motorcycle riders
1975. Requirement for motorcycles to carry a front number plate abolished.
1980. Right hand sidecars banned on motorcycles registered after 1/8/81
1982. EEC 86 decibel noise limit implemented.
1986. Motorcycles first used after 1/4/86 required to have direction indicators.
1987. EC 87/56 stage one (82 decibel) noise limit becomes Euro law. Stage 2 (80 decibels) planned for 1993.
1987. Motorcycles first used after 1/4/87 to have brake system approved by UN/ECE regulation 13.05
1987. BSI stamped aftermarket exhausts made compulsory.
1991. EC proposes 100 bhp maximum power output from motorcycles.
1993. EU proposes 'Multi Directive'. Contains 80 decibel upper noise limit, anti tampering and emission limits.
1994. 100th Gatso Camera installed.
1995. UK implements stage one of EU directive 87/56 and reduces maximum noise limit to 82 decibels
1997. EU Multi Directive becomes European law. Maximum noise limit set at 80 decibels. Europe wide implementation July 1999.
2001. Motorcycles registered after 1.9.2001 are not allowed to have a front number plate.
Efbe said:
1997. EU Multi Directive becomes European law. Maximum noise limit set at 80 decibels. Europe wide implementation July 1999.
Is that loud? People in the Radical forum have difficulty getting under 100db at track days so surly there are loads of cars on the road over 80db ie. all supercars, all scouters etc.streaky said:
Is 1a is most petrol engines, 1b agricultural, 1c other diesel engines,I couldnt work out why the Atlantean bus had special rights so I googled it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyland_Atlantean
Another higher threshold is for vehicles exceeding 75kw (101bhp) per 1000kg i.e. Elise VX220 etc
continue...
Mr Sparkle said:
Is that loud? People in the Radical forum have difficulty getting under 100db at track days so surly there are loads of cars on the road over 80db ie. all supercars, all scouters etc.
Radicals would be subject to IVA.IVA regs are currently 99dB... https://online.businesslink.gov.uk/Transport_files...
IIRC, SVA used to be 101dB.
One assumes passing these, and the vehicle being approved, results in the vehicle being subject to one of the exemptions?
streaky said:
"Method specified in paragraph 5.2.2.4 of Annex I to Community Directive 84/372, except that vehicles with 5 or more forward gears and a maximum power to maximum gross weight ratio not less than 75 kw per 1,000 kg may be tested in 3rd gear only. Interpretation of results as specified in paragraph 5.2.2.5 of that Annex"
Hmmmm....Mojocvh said:
"Method specified in paragraph 5.2.2.4 of Annex I to Community Directive 84/372, except that vehicles with 5 or more forward gears and a maximum power to maximum gross weight ratio not less than 75 kw per 1,000 kg may be tested in 3rd gear only. Interpretation of results as specified in paragraph 5.2.2.5 of that Annex"
Hmmmm....
On a rolling road or with a tailing vehicle? Hmmmm....saaby93 said:
Mojocvh said:
"Method specified in paragraph 5.2.2.4 of Annex I to Community Directive 84/372, except that vehicles with 5 or more forward gears and a maximum power to maximum gross weight ratio not less than 75 kw per 1,000 kg may be tested in 3rd gear only. Interpretation of results as specified in paragraph 5.2.2.5 of that Annex"
Hmmmm....
On a rolling road or with a tailing vehicle? Hmmmm....It's a drive by noise test.
You need a big flat open space with no reflecting surfaces anywhere nearby. You draw a line down the middle for the car to drive along and then two perpendicular to it (can't remember how far apart) one to put the meter on and one to mark the point to start accelerating.
The car being tested drives down the line in the specified gear at the specified speed (speed and gear vary depending on type of vehicle, I believe it's typically 30mph in 3rd) When the car being tested gets to the first line you open the throttle fully and accelerate past the test meter.
The meter is supposed to be 7.5m from the line the car is driving on.
The current EU noise regs are here
You need a big flat open space with no reflecting surfaces anywhere nearby. You draw a line down the middle for the car to drive along and then two perpendicular to it (can't remember how far apart) one to put the meter on and one to mark the point to start accelerating.
The car being tested drives down the line in the specified gear at the specified speed (speed and gear vary depending on type of vehicle, I believe it's typically 30mph in 3rd) When the car being tested gets to the first line you open the throttle fully and accelerate past the test meter.
The meter is supposed to be 7.5m from the line the car is driving on.
The current EU noise regs are here
Modern bikes should have a sticker on the frame,probably near the headstock,with all sorts of information including noise levels of that particular model.
IIRC a 2006/7 GSXR750 was around 99db.
I seen to remember reading a little while ago that some people were having trouble getting into quiet track days at places like Donnington with stock silencers.
IIRC a 2006/7 GSXR750 was around 99db.
I seen to remember reading a little while ago that some people were having trouble getting into quiet track days at places like Donnington with stock silencers.
zombeh said:
It's a drive by noise test.
You need a big flat open space with no reflecting surfaces anywhere nearby. You draw a line down the middle for the car to drive along and then two perpendicular to it (can't remember how far apart) one to put the meter on and one to mark the point to start accelerating.
The car being tested drives down the line in the specified gear at the specified speed (speed and gear vary depending on type of vehicle, I believe it's typically 30mph in 3rd) When the car being tested gets to the first line you open the throttle fully and accelerate past the test meter.
The meter is supposed to be 7.5m from the line the car is driving on.
The current EU noise regs are here
this.You need a big flat open space with no reflecting surfaces anywhere nearby. You draw a line down the middle for the car to drive along and then two perpendicular to it (can't remember how far apart) one to put the meter on and one to mark the point to start accelerating.
The car being tested drives down the line in the specified gear at the specified speed (speed and gear vary depending on type of vehicle, I believe it's typically 30mph in 3rd) When the car being tested gets to the first line you open the throttle fully and accelerate past the test meter.
The meter is supposed to be 7.5m from the line the car is driving on.
The current EU noise regs are here
having had to have this done on some cars, it's not easy to actually do, even using Milbrook it takes several attempts to rule out background noise etc, then you have to consider what gear you are using as (in our case) using 3rd as per the book meant hitting the rev-limit before the end of the measured 'run'.
other issue is the actual homologation noise levels are really low, to the point that anyhting remotely sporty will fail miserably, hence why just about everything had exhaust flaps in them now under ECU control.
As for roadside tests, this is the same bulls
t they tried with roadside emissions tests, legally they cannot stand as it's impossible to do an accurate test to Homologation standards on the roadside.I guess as with the emissions testing, it's going to take a test case though the courts to sort this one out.
As discussed in previous threads on this topic:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
TVRs and other small production sports cars present a special challenge as they can be modified car by car on the "production line", leading to individual exhaust noise levels.
In addition, the induction noise can provide a not-insignificant additional component.
Streaky
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
TVRs and other small production sports cars present a special challenge as they can be modified car by car on the "production line", leading to individual exhaust noise levels.
In addition, the induction noise can provide a not-insignificant additional component.
Streaky
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