Effective April 1, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) is amended to increase equipment violations and fines and penalties against motorists, inspection stations and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers or exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy.

New paragraph 31(b) under VTL section 375 prohibits the sale, offer for sale or installation of a device that increases the muffler’s noise to be louder than originally installed on a motor vehicle. Subdivisions 31-a and 31-b prohibited offering for sale straight pipes or a motorcycle exhaust that had been modified to increase the muffler’s noise to be louder than the system originally installed on a motor vehicle. The use/operation of such devices (straight pipes or modified exhaust) remain unlawful under VTL section 381(11) and (12).

New subdivision 32(b) increases the maximum fine from $150 to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 30 days for violations of subdivisions 31, 31-a or 31-b.

Under VTL section 381, motorcycle equipment, subdivision 13 increases the fine from $100 to a maximum of $500 for violations of VTL section 381(11) and (12) relating to operating an excessively loud motorcycle.

The purpose of the VTL amended laws applicable to loud motor vehicle engine noise is to increase fines for anyone offering for sale or installation of any device that increases the muffler’s noise, on any vehicle including cars, trucks, and motorcycles from up to $150 to a maximum of $1,000. It also increases fines from up to $100 to a maximum of $500 for anyone operating a vehicle that has been modified to make it excessively noisy.