Question is, what level of noise and how it'll be measured.
That is exactly what I've been trying to find out. I've read the change to the law, but cannot find a specific number.
Québec, out of necessity, has established both the maximum db level and the method of testing to close these loop holes and inequities.
Quebec had a similar law to what is now in effect in N.Y., and it was not enforceable. It was equally sloppily written, and as a result the law, and all the tickets issued because of it, was struck down in court. The Government had to establish verifiable limits, define a means of standardized and repeatable test results, and rewrite the law to comply with the court ruling.
The original law in Québec allowed a person to do whatever they wanted to their exhaust system as long as it did not result in the exhaust noise emitted being louder than what was emitted with the exhaust originally installed at the factory. This went to court eventually. The judge through the case, and law, out. He ruled that in order to enforce the law as written, the police would have to have factual evidence, such as db readings, of what the noise level of that specific vehicle that was ticketed was before the exhaust was modified, so that it could be compared to the noise level after the modification. Of course this is an impossibility.
After a five year pilot project, the law was changed.
It now states;
that no component of the exhaust system of a motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter may be replaced, removed, added or modified in a way that makes the system noisier compared to the system installed by the manufacturer of the motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter.
Added to the law was;
the regulation sets the maximum sound emission levels that can be produced by the exhaust systems of motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters. Owners of vehicles that produce greater sound levels cannot operate the vehicles in question or allow them to be operated by anyone else. These levels are established based on vehicle type and the sound measurement method used.
Also added was a quantifiable means of testing the sound level;
Police officers who have received training from the SAAQ or the École nationale de police du Québec can use a sound level meter to measure the sound levels (in decibels) emitted by a motorcycle exhaust system. This new regulation is based on findings from the pilot project run by the SAAQ from 2013 to 2018, which led to the amendment of the Highway Safety Code. Sound level meters are thus added to traditional sound measuring methods, which are based on the physical characteristics of the exhaust system and are already in use by police forces to determine whether an offence has been committed.
Decibel levels allowed by law;
- Where the engine rotates at a constant or variable speed, the level allowed is 100 decibels.
- Where the engine is idling, the level allowed is 92 decibels.
It is important to note that under no circumstances may a motorcycle’s exhaust system be replaced, altered or modified in a way that makes it noisier than the original. Thus, a motorcycle exhaust system that has been modified so that it is louder than the original system will be considered non-compliant, even if it still respects the maximum sound levels.
How are decibels measured?
Decibels are measured using a sound level meter positioned 50 cm away from the muffler, at the same height and at a 45-degree angle.
The police officer asks the driver to hold the motorcycle and activate the throttle while the sound level meter records a measurement. In the case of a motorcycle equipped with a manual transmission, the motorcycle must be in neutral when measuring sound levels.
The law also includes similar restrictions for all vehicles, not just motorcycles.
