Noise limit for the road

Paul V8 · Post by **Paul V8** » Fri May 30, 2008 4:50 pm

Hello, is there a noise limit for a public road? mines 105db at 3000 rpm and i keep getting looks.
Thanks.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Fri May 30, 2008 5:06 pm

There is no legal noise limit.

The dangerous part is, that a police officer can say its too loud, using their expert ears, and its enough to get you in deep poo poo.

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:10 am

I think Stevie is right aswell. There's no legal limit but if the local polizia decide they don't like you they can nick you.

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:21 pm

SVA manual states 101DB at 3/4 max revs

If the plod thinks you are too noisy they can send you to be checked at SVA centre

Ian

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:11 pm

"Yes officer?",
"its quite loud sir,"
" Im sorry officer im a bit mutton"
I"Im not surprised with an exhaust like that"
"Yes please, Ill have 2 sugars"
This sort of conversation seems to confuse the enquiring officer, keep it up and they will you to drive off quietly, and not to mention the conversation

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:27 pm

Ian Anderson wrote:SVA manual states 101DB at 3/4 max revs

If the plod thinks you are too noisy they can send you to be checked at SVA centre

Ian

Interesting...never heard any facts before.

101db at what distance ? test method ?

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:01 pm

That's the SVA tho, does that not only apply to newly built Kit cars?

Post by **katanaman** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:18 pm

There has to be something down somewhere. A few years back bike shops carried out a noise test at MOT time. This was scraped because it was proven unreliable so the law was changed to you had to have a BS stamped exhaust. Again this has been scraped because surprise surprise everybody teeped their exhaust with a BS number lol. Its now set at it must be a reasonable level and sound close to stock. Subjective again so doesn't do anything. I cant remember for certain but I am fairly sure the same applies to cars in that it should be no noisier than stock. If I am right on this then the limit would be going by Ian's figure 101 db for kit or modified cars and whatever the limit was when your car was type approved if it is stock. Police in reality can only give you a hard time (they have no way of knowing your true noise level) and make you get it tested at an SVA station. They can however (and dont laugh) give you an ASBO if neighbours or whoever complain. The previous owner to my M8s bike got this although I am sure it has an amplifier and not a silencer!

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:28 pm

Exhausts....Im sure I read, that any deviation from the manufacturers standard, or any mods to make it louder, are illegal. Its just one of those laws, that isnt enforced very much.

The cops expert ears, are enough to secure a conviction in court. The judge will believe them. It has happened over here, although our legal system here is severely f**ked up.
Although no doubt its equally crooked on the mainland.

Post by **katanaman** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:38 pm

I think now they have to refer you for a test but then that's probably because its possible to do it. Course you fail the test and your busted. Its all thanks to having two rule books in the UK. Construction and use (what the SVA is based on) and MOT. Construction and use is much more strict than an MOT so even if you pass an MOT your car could still be illegal. Keeping things sensible and flying under the radar is probably the best route. If you think its noisy then quieten it down a bit if you can and save the grief.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:44 pm

Construction and Use is what the law will use against you.

This topic has come up several times on local car forums, where there are quite a few cops.
None of them has been able to come up with a figure for noise level. Its all down to the officers discretion.

People who have got stopped, have asked to be tested etc.....it never happens. They dont know how, and there arent any guidelines AFAIK

There was links to the C&U info online somewhere....but it would take a legal eagle to understand any of it.

v8man · Post by **v8man** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:45 am

thing is some of the new sports cars Aston , Ferrari i noticed they are very very loud when they step on it like after 3k revs i believe they got a valve in the exhaust that opens at pressure and for sure they make like 120 db the way they sound

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:15 am

Marki

Have a look at
http://fp.topcateng.plus.com/Garage/...nual_draft.pdf

Then look at section 17 - all your questions aswered on how to test
Get out is that there must be an open space and no walls etc for sound to bounce off and the echo to be read.

there is also a section E17 in the early part of the book that also gives good info

Ian

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:17 am

Oh and before you ask I am against the VOSA crowd they are like the old wild west marshalls JUDGE JURY and EXECUTIONER all in one

Ian

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:14 am

I have never had any real problems with the MOT over here. I wouldnt say its that hard to pass, and we have one of the strictest tests in Europe now.

As for noise. At Elvington last Sunday, mine was tested at 106db, circa 4-4500rpm, 0.5m from tailpipe at 45deg.

Although I did have a broken spark plug, so this may have affected noise slightly, as it wasnt running 100%. It seems quieted now that Ive sorted it.

I might test it again sometime, although Elvington is the only venue I go to so far with noise problems, although they give a by ball to the faster cars ( up to about 112db )

I even added 2 silencers last year, to try and quieten it down. No room for anymore though.