Tn has the same law but not enforced unless they get you for something else so 90% of the time in the rain I don't have them on the other 10% in the rian I'll have them on that is like heavy rain where you can't see then I'll have them on. yes I'm still pissed off on it and I just paid the ticket since it was out of state and it was a no points ticket anyway just pisses me off that the cop thought I was more of a saftey hazard than 2 speeders in the rain.

 

I'm one of those guys that you hate so much. I'm not strictly a traffic officer, but traffic enforcement is part of my duties. While I haven't looked up the laws in your state, I can tell you that several states have laws saying that an exhaust system can't be any louder than what came on it from the factory. Washington state is like this. In Oregon, our statute says the exhaust can't be any louder than reasonably necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle. So, what does this mean? It means you can do all the sound level meter tests you want to and it still doesn't make it legal. In Oregon (and Washington), the DMV inspection standards and the state statutes are two different things. You can pass the inspection and sound test and still get a ticket.

I also think alot of people have a double standard. I see alot of people on these forums (meaning all sites) who complain about the imports and their "fart cans" but don't think twice about running straight pipes. Which vehicle is louder? I gave a guy a citation the other night driving a 95 Saleen Mustang for unreasonable noise. He was running a Bassani X pipe with no cats and dual 1 chamber Flowmasters. Hell yeah he got a ticket. Of course, it didn't help him that he had a license plate frame that said "hell yes I street race" which was covering the registration tags on his custom license plate that said "COP TZR".

It is also your right to go to court to fight the ticket. Maybe the officer won't show up or the judge could be feeling compassionate that day. Remember this, though, the officer testifies in court quite often. The judge puts alot of weight on his word and integrity. The judge also puts alot of weight on the fact that the officer doesn't make illegal stops and write BS tickets. You were stopped and cited for a violation of the law and the officer can prove that. I testified in court on one of these just the other day. All I had to do was testify to the fact that I heard the vehicle coming down the road with both of my windows up and that it was louder than reasonably necessary for safe operation of the vehicle. Guilty, case closed, pay the fine at the door.

I'm not flaming anybody here, but remember, there are people from all walks of life here. I don't attack your job and say that all widget salesmen are a$$holes or whatever it is you do for a living. I usually don't write this much, but it bugs me when people complain about the cops in one breath and then expect them to come to their rescue in the next. I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

Lok N Load:

I can understand basically what you are saying. I would add something that my dad taught me long ago, and I know some of you will say "kiss ***" but the fact is when your pulled over if you are respectful and polite your chances are less on getting a ticket if at all possible. My dad had alot of cop friends, CHP etc, and they hated when people disrespected them and they'd give a ticket in a heart beat.

Lok N Load, I believe you are the type of cop that may not write citations for the hell of it, but the fact is like in any business or job there are a fair number of Boneheads. There are some cops out there that think they have total power over everyone, like having a power trip, they are few but they are out there that is a fact.

I would recommend to anyone who gets a ticket that don't believe they "really" deserve it, (not you ones out there doing 100mph, trying to say only 55mph) to go to court the fact is you have a good chance of winning. The other fact is like Lok N Load mentioned, is if the cop is well known in court and respectful you may have a hard chance, but the judge also knows the bonehead cops out there as well. One thing judges DO NOT like is cops acting as if they are the judge.

Lok N Load don't take me wrong, I have the utmost respect for cops, I grew up with many, but also learned from them (cops) that there are a few out there who think they are God, with a power trip who sometimes need a lesson in court that knocks them down a few feet when the judge throws out a ticket they wrote for BS.

For you young ones out there (in your teens, early 20's) use common sence, and respect the cop car, in other words when you see one you show it respect, don't drive by with the stero cranked way up, or reving the motor, or even acting like you some bad as*. Fact is your young and the cops love you guys. Why you may ask? because it's usally the young ****y ones that cause alot of problems for other drivers. Your chances in court for any ticket BS or not are about 0%. Judge will take a look at you and if you have an attitude its all over.

Cops are there for the good of everyone, but they are not a judge and they are not God, 90% are good and respectful, 10% aint worth ****.

 

Nice thought...Can't out run motorola!
You do know that CA. laws say that any change from what factory put on it is outlawed, So by law in CA if you change a hub cap you can get a ticket.(they don't inforce it all but it is on the books)
Paul
PSS..I lived in SO CA most of my life, dealing with cops on the street and Vehicle Code book daily.Between motorcycles & hot rods.

 

I live about 10 minutes from virginia in nc and i'm pretty sure that in virginia any modified exhaust is illegal and they've always been strict. In north carolina though i've never heard of anyone getting in trouble. No one here checks for cats or mufflers when you get an inspection