Is there a LEGAL limit on Exhaust Noise ?
Discussion
There isn't a legal limit on exhaust noise at idle, all european directive tests are done as driveby.
If it's perceived to be too loud then it's too loud, no measurement is needed it just needs a person to complain.
Unfortunately if the neighbour complains to him and he does nothing about it then they're just going to go to the council and complain which could make his life hell.
If it's perceived to be too loud then it's too loud, no measurement is needed it just needs a person to complain.
Unfortunately if the neighbour complains to him and he does nothing about it then they're just going to go to the council and complain which could make his life hell.
There is a limit for motor-cycles, but not AFAIK for cars. A possible route would be to report it as a noise nuisance to the local Council, but, whilst everyone living in the UK has a legal right to be protected against noise nuisance - defined as 'an unlawful interference with a persons use or enjoyment of land or property' (National Society for Clean Air - NSCA), Councils can only act within the constraints of the law and can only take legal action in circumstances where the law applies and where evidence is obtained that confirms the existence of the statutory noise nuisance. If there is no law (or limit) then the Council's hands are tied. If another neighbour will also complain, both go to the local nick. This might result in a S59 RTA warning ... and the threat of loss of P&J might cause the offender to muffle the exhaust - Streaky
streaky said:
There is a limit for motor-cycles, but not AFAIK for cars. A possible route would be to report it as a noise nuisance to the local Council, but, whilst everyone living in the UK has a legal right to be protected against noise nuisance - defined as 'an unlawful interference with a persons use or enjoyment of land or property' (National Society for Clean Air - NSCA), Councils can only act within the constraints of the law and can only take legal action in circumstances where the law applies and where evidence is obtained that confirms the existence of the statutory noise nuisance. If there is no law (or limit) then the Council's hands are tied. If another neighbour will also complain, both go to the local nick. This might result in a S59 RTA warning ... and the threat of loss of P&J might cause the offender to muffle the exhaust - Streaky
What is the limit for bikes and how is it tested ? What level of noise defines a Statutory Noise Nuisance ?
and a S59 ? What's that?
IMHO the guy being complained to should try the touchy feely approach rather than telling him to FECK Off.
My work is local to the guy and I've offered to borrow the firms noise meter and see what the actual level is. If this compares favorably to the bike level then I don't see an issue anyway.
jacko lah said:
What is the limit for bikes and how is it tested ?
82dB, however many motorcycles exceed this......http://www.roadracers.co.uk/exhausts-regs.htm
herewego said:
I'd go with chockymonster. If it's noisy enough for someone to complain then he should fix it.
If you're unfortunate enough to have to get up at 4:45am then you really need to do everything reasonably possible to minimise the impact of that on everyone else. Really not fair to wake neighbours up with a honking great rattly aftermarket exhaust. becca_viola said:
herewego said:
I'd go with chockymonster. If it's noisy enough for someone to complain then he should fix it.
If you're unfortunate enough to have to get up at 4:45am then you really need to do everything reasonably possible to minimise the impact of that on everyone else. Really not fair to wake neighbours up with a honking great rattly aftermarket exhaust. Lucky for my neighbours I don't leave the house before 7.
Swoxy said:
Sounds like a good alarm clock to me.
As a student I had a Z500 with 4 into 1 Ansa with no padding in the exhaust. On my sandwich year I used to go out the back door of student house and wheelspin it across the grass to the back gate leaving a trail of mud on the patio windows every morning at 7am. the one morning I stayed in BED my house mates were late for their lectures. Come to think I gave it 7000 rpm down the road to clear the cobwebs too. We MUST have been hated.
catso said:
jacko lah said:
What is the limit for bikes and how is it tested ?
82dB, however many motorcycles exceed this......http://www.roadracers.co.uk/exhausts-regs.htm
Noise levels for motor cars AND motor cycles?
Go to
http://www.tinyurl.com/38ojga
which should get you the Con and Use Regs for Norton Iron that are published in full.
Go to Reg 66 to 69.
The Con and Use Regs 1984 appertaining to England have not so been published.
The NI regs almost mirror those from UK.
Decibels I understand can be checked by a hand held device that are in the possession of LA Environmental Health and VOSA.
dvd
Go to
http://www.tinyurl.com/38ojga
which should get you the Con and Use Regs for Norton Iron that are published in full.
Go to Reg 66 to 69.
The Con and Use Regs 1984 appertaining to England have not so been published.
The NI regs almost mirror those from UK.
Decibels I understand can be checked by a hand held device that are in the possession of LA Environmental Health and VOSA.
dvd
mmm-five said:
Even the standard exhaust on my old M5 hit 86dB static and 96dB drive by - although the tyres did get me taked off as they hit 104dB. The current one on my new (older) M5 is about twice as loud (so over 100dB static I'd say) - and was much louder than that when it broke off just past the cat replacement pipes.
Wouldn't twice as loud as 86dB would be 89dB more or less.jacko lah said:
becca_viola said:
herewego said:
I'd go with chockymonster. If it's noisy enough for someone to complain then he should fix it.
If you're unfortunate enough to have to get up at 4:45am then you really need to do everything reasonably possible to minimise the impact of that on everyone else. Really not fair to wake neighbours up with a honking great rattly aftermarket exhaust. Lucky for my neighbours I don't leave the house before 7.
chris_tivver said:
mmm-five said:
Even the standard exhaust on my old M5 hit 86dB static and 96dB drive by - although the tyres did get me taked off as they hit 104dB. The current one on my new (older) M5 is about twice as loud (so over 100dB static I'd say) - and was much louder than that when it broke off just past the cat replacement pipes.
Wouldn't twice as loud as 86dB would be 89dB more or less.
) would be doubled, but the log response of our ears means it requires typically a 10dB increase in SPL for a perceived doubling of volume levels.I had a chat with a guy from VOSA regarding this after my girlfriend was pulled for having an illegal exhaust (she was lucky I wasn't there as I've have asked "how is it illegal, wrong colour? wrong shape?" and then if he said volume I'd have asked for the calibration cert for his ears).
An exhaust is only allowed to be as loud as a "stock exhaust" for the same car.
The problem is with import cars that are not EU spec.
The other thing you can be done for is "causing distress and alarm" and I think that's an ASBO. I've got the docs in the car as mine is a bit loud.
An exhaust is only allowed to be as loud as a "stock exhaust" for the same car.
The problem is with import cars that are not EU spec.
The other thing you can be done for is "causing distress and alarm" and I think that's an ASBO. I've got the docs in the car as mine is a bit loud.
Mr2Mike said:
chris_tivver said:
mmm-five said:
Even the standard exhaust on my old M5 hit 86dB static and 96dB drive by - although the tyres did get me taked off as they hit 104dB. The current one on my new (older) M5 is about twice as loud (so over 100dB static I'd say) - and was much louder than that when it broke off just past the cat replacement pipes.
Wouldn't twice as loud as 86dB would be 89dB more or less. ) would be doubled, but the log response of our ears means it requires typically a 10dB increase in SPL for a perceived doubling of volume levels.Another post on here refers to an increase from 86dB to 89dB... from memory that's the difference between one loudspeaker and two loudspeakers playing a radio station or other media - 3dB difference rings a bell - just because there are 2 loudspeakers that doesn't mean it's twice as loud (but I can't remember how
).Bibbs said:
An exhaust is only allowed to be as loud as a "stock exhaust" for the same car.
How would this work then ? I've never heard the exhaust of a mk2 cavalier which was stock (as in GM Original Equipment) as they are no longer stocked. Some versions can not be obtained in the after market either. So you'd be forced (if you had an SRi130 or an estate) to get a special made up. Anything else might be quieter or louded or a different pitch or beat but as I don't have a calibrated original so how do I know it's right? I guess most people know the difference between sensible and stupid without though.
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