Bill Text: VA HB344 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Exhaust system; aftermarket exhausts.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - Left in Transportation [HB344 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB344-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §46.2-1049 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
A. As used in this section, "exhaust system" means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
B. No
person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the
operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an
exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent
excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that
for. For
motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be (i) of
a type installed as standard factory equipment, or (ii) comparable to that
designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment, or (iii) an aftermarket exhaust system that
is appropriate for such motor vehicle and prevents a level
of noise above the accepted industry standard.
An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if
it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard
factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks
of standard make.
The term "exhaust
system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through
which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and
other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any antique motor vehicle licensed pursuant to §46.2-730, provided that the engine is comparable to that designed as standard factory equipment for use on that particular vehicle, and the exhaust system is in good working order, or (ii) converted electric vehicles.
2. That the Department of State Police shall establish and maintain regulations setting an industry standard noise level for exhaust systems.