After market exhaust illegal in VA?
LiveOne
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Va Beach
Re: After market exhaust illegal in VA?
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.
superuser
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,828
Likes: 0
From: Glen Allen VA
Re: After market exhaust illegal in VA?
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.
Registered Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
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Re: After market exhaust illegal in VA?
too bad it is the case in many states not just VA. In MA they can pull you over for too loud of an exhaust as well. Once I tried to get an inspection when I had a WRX with an aftermarket exhaust and the station said it was too loud while the other attendent was saying that is how loud it is supposed to be stock (like the STI's were). I guess one of the stations the owner also had about six or so months before had it's inspection license taken away for some reason like passing an inspection on something that was way too loud - at least that is what they told me. Anyway, when I take it to the dealership they pass it with no problem. good luck.
Registered Member
Joined: Feb 2011
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CAPS LOCK BABY
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,482
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Re: After market exhaust illegal in VA?
actually yes, anything other than a OEM exhaust or factory option is illegal. most cops will not pull you over for just an exhaust unless its loud enough to give them a reason to. suspension is the same way, its illegal to have lowering arms and stuff on your car but only a dick cop will give you a ticket for it. just because the car passes inspection does not mean everything is legal.
ive been pulled over manyyyyyy times for it, and they always warn me of my suspension but never go the extra mile to ticket me for it.
ive been pulled over manyyyyyy times for it, and they always warn me of my suspension but never go the extra mile to ticket me for it.
I know a couple cops and you will not get a ticket as long as you don't have holes in the muffler or gutted the cat, although if you are rude to a cop, get in a cops face or make smart remarks he will write you a ticket even if it is legal, but if you buy a magnaflow exhaust or flowmaster etc. then you won't get introuble for it being loud if you are not being rude or ignorent toward the cop