As far as va is concerned an aftermarket exhuast is illega if it is not factory or has been altered from factory standards. Interesting fact, any exhaust that is sold at an ehaust shop is aftermarket. Even if it is modified e.I. rewelded, it is no longer factory. Why then are theses shops allowed under state law to sell these to u as a consumer to get u to pass state safety requirement laws. Also va states that at operating speeds( 50mph) your vihicle cannot surpass 93dbls. State troopers are not equipped with the decimeter to actually measure the sound emitted from ur exhaust. To test this a trooper would have to maintain 50mph for half a mile for an accurate reading. Whats a trooper look like hanging out of the window holding this giant microphone following a geo metro with a folgers sized fart can for half a mile. Now I will say this, they can pull u over for the smallest violations such as a broken third brake light and then site for ur mods but as far as ur exhaust being the intial reasoning they cannot do that. That's y he asked to search ur car he was covering his butt by saying he had probable cause do to drug related reasons. Check out SEMASAN.com for info on what state law is regarding modifications its really helpful.