Senate Bill S6718

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6718REVISED 4/15/24

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to inspection
of motor vehicle muffler and exhaust systems

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure motor vehicles are equipped with
adequate muffler or exhaust systems and that such systems do not exceed
the maximum allowable sound levels under certain conditions

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of subdi-
vision (c) of § 301 of the vehicle and traffic law to add to the list
that must be completed during an annual vehicle safety inspection, a
check of the muffler or exhaust system to ensure adequate installation
and operation and to ensure that such system does not exceed the maximum
allowable sound levels under certain conditions. The bill also requires
              

the commissioner to promulgate regulations to allow for such testing of
sound levels at inspection stations.

Section two of the bill sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Loud car exhausts are not only an annoyance and serve no purpose on
passenger vehicles, but they also can contribute to hearing loss and
potentially harm the environment. In densely packed urban areas, loud
and poorly installed mufflers can affect one's sleep and are often found
on illegally modified vehicles. Current law already requires that motor
vehicles be equipped with adequate muffler or exhaust systems that are
un-modified and do not emit excessive noise.

The maximum allowable sound levels for vehicles depends on their weight
and classification. For vehicles that weigh above 10,000 pounds, they
must not exceed 86 decibels when traveling 35 miles per hour or less,
while the limit for vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or less is set at
76 decibels when traveling 35 miles per hour or less. Additionally, the
limit for motorcycles is currently set at 82 decibels when traveling at
35 miles per hour or less. These limits are aimed at helping reduce the
damage caused by excessively loud car exhausts.

However, enforcement of such requirements is difficult and sporadic.
This bill would remedy this situation by adding a muffler check to a
vehicle's annual inspection. Such check would ensure vehicles are
equipped with adequate muffler or exhaust systems and that such systems
do not exceed the maximum allowable sound levels under current law.

This remedy has substantial precedent in the existing annual inspection
regulations. Annual inspections are geared toward more than just safety
features like brakes and seat belts; since 1990, NYS has required emis-
sions inspections for cars and light trucks including an examination of
up to seven different emissions control devices depending on the make
and model. Muffler and exhaust checks are also already a part of annual
inspections for motorcycles, medium duty vehicles weighing over 10,000
pounds, and heavy duty vehicles weighing over 18,000 pounds. This bill
extends these requirements to light duty vehicles, recognizing the
proliferation of illegally modified mufflers on passenger vehicles in
recent years.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.