'Improper Exhaust' ticket, anyone had this problem?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,998
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I live in Georgia
I was driving home today going somewhere between the 25-35mph range when I passed a county cop while going through an intersection. As I drove through it, I saw lights flick on and within a few seconds later he had me pulled over. He was a complete dick and kept using the phrase 'sooped up car.' He told me my exhaust was illegal and that any 'tampering' with a car's exhaust is illegal. I live in the state of Georgia.
The Georgia code regarding exhaust is listed below. It doesn't specifically say anything about aftermarket exhaust, it basically just states that you have to have an exhaust in good working and cosmetic condition.. although it does say manufacturers, etc. should not sell aftermarket exhausts, but nothing about personal use is stated.
Has anyone else had this problem, or even better, has anyone else from Georgia? In you guy's opinions, is it even worth fighting? If the ticket is a $50 ticket I'm probably not even going to worry about it, but the cop had no clue as to how much it would be.
I'm running a greddy RS cat-back exhaust, dual mufflers. Greddy claims all their 'street legal' products are 50 state legal. Should that weigh into the factors?
http://greddy.com/products/exhausts/...er:model:350Z/
He was a younger guy, seemed like he was displaying a little Z envy.
Thanks.
GA CODE:
40-8-71.
(a) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system, in good working order and in constant operation, meeting the following specifications:
(1) The exhaust system shall include the piping leading from the flange of the exhaust manifold to and including the muffler or mufflers and tail pipes;
(2) The use of flexible pipe shall be prohibited except on diesel tractors or according to manufacturers´ original specifications;
(3) The exhaust emission point shall extend beyond the rear or outside of the passenger compartment. The trunk shall be considered as part of the passenger compartment;
(4) The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened, including the consideration of missing or broken hangers; and
(5) There shall be no part of the exhaust system passing through the passenger compartment or any exposed stack so located that any individual entering or leaving the vehicle may be burned.
(b) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any muffler which causes excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke or any muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device for use on a motor vehicle or for any person to use, to sell, or to offer for sale any motor vehicle equipped with any such muffler, muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
The Georgia code regarding exhaust is listed below. It doesn't specifically say anything about aftermarket exhaust, it basically just states that you have to have an exhaust in good working and cosmetic condition.. although it does say manufacturers, etc. should not sell aftermarket exhausts, but nothing about personal use is stated.
Has anyone else had this problem, or even better, has anyone else from Georgia? In you guy's opinions, is it even worth fighting? If the ticket is a $50 ticket I'm probably not even going to worry about it, but the cop had no clue as to how much it would be.
I'm running a greddy RS cat-back exhaust, dual mufflers. Greddy claims all their 'street legal' products are 50 state legal. Should that weigh into the factors?
http://greddy.com/products/exhausts/...er:model:350Z/
He was a younger guy, seemed like he was displaying a little Z envy.
Thanks.
GA CODE:
40-8-71.
(a) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system, in good working order and in constant operation, meeting the following specifications:
(1) The exhaust system shall include the piping leading from the flange of the exhaust manifold to and including the muffler or mufflers and tail pipes;
(2) The use of flexible pipe shall be prohibited except on diesel tractors or according to manufacturers´ original specifications;
(3) The exhaust emission point shall extend beyond the rear or outside of the passenger compartment. The trunk shall be considered as part of the passenger compartment;
(4) The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened, including the consideration of missing or broken hangers; and
(5) There shall be no part of the exhaust system passing through the passenger compartment or any exposed stack so located that any individual entering or leaving the vehicle may be burned.
(b) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any muffler which causes excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke or any muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device for use on a motor vehicle or for any person to use, to sell, or to offer for sale any motor vehicle equipped with any such muffler, muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Where I live,there are the good old boys in their pickups running Flowmasters.
Nobody bothers them.I've not been stopped...cause I've just been careful.
Pay the fine and chalk it up to experience.You'll live longer!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Man,you are fighting a loosing battle.You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.As I also live in your state,its a matter of "selective emforcement".
Where I live,there are the good old boys in their pickups running Flowmasters.
Nobody bothers them.I've not been stopped...cause I've just been careful.
Pay the fine and chalk it up to experience.You'll live longer!
Where I live,there are the good old boys in their pickups running Flowmasters.
Nobody bothers them.I've not been stopped...cause I've just been careful.
Pay the fine and chalk it up to experience.You'll live longer!
New Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,743
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
If you bought an exhaust that claims it is 50-state legal and you got a ticket for it, it seems like you might not be the one who should be paying.
However, I don't really know the details so I might be talking out my exhaust.
However, I don't really know the details so I might be talking out my exhaust.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,998
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
OP, not all Greddy exhaust systems are legal...
From their website:
From their website:
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Keeping You Legal
GReddy maintains a full line of CARB exempt 50-state legal performance products in addition to the race only products designed and intended for off-highway use. Our street exhaust systems have been designed and tested to give you the maximum amount of performance and meet the SAE sound test of no more than 95dBA. Whether you are just looking for a little better performance from your street machine, or are going for all-out race performance, the only name you need to know is GReddy.
GReddy maintains a full line of CARB exempt 50-state legal performance products in addition to the race only products designed and intended for off-highway use. Our street exhaust systems have been designed and tested to give you the maximum amount of performance and meet the SAE sound test of no more than 95dBA. Whether you are just looking for a little better performance from your street machine, or are going for all-out race performance, the only name you need to know is GReddy.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Greddy's website also states that all of their street exhausts do not exceed the 95db legal limit.
I saw that part. On their website, they have a seperate section in the exhaust product line that lists all their 'off-road' exhaust systems and parts.
The RS exhaust, the one I have, is not in that section. It runs in the same category as the rest of their street legal exhausts. In a few of the descriptions they have on the exhaust they also list that it is street-worthy, streetable, etc.
For example:
"New for 2011, GReddy Racing Sport (RS) Cat-back Exhausts combine a high flow straight-through design, polished stainless-steel construction and aggressive sound. A combination worthy for the street. The systems are comprised of full polished stainless steel muffler and an interchangeable tip, unpolished stainless steel piping."
and
"Refuse Sacrifice. Offering the proven
per formance technology of the Racing
Ti-C series, the new GReddy Racing
Spor t (RS) series delivers stainlesssteel construction, a streetable yet
aggressive sound and track-worthy
performance. Realize Savings. The GReddy
RS system incorporates a standard 304-
grade stainless-steel tip that can later be
upgraded to the optional Ti-C series “burnt
titanium” tip. The GReddy RS series
features the fitment, quality, technology
and per formance that has made GReddy
a leader in per formance exhausts
systems. The RS series…"
Those products that are not street legal have this disclaimer at the tops of the pages "* These products listed in this specific page are "Race-only" parts, which are legal for sale or use in CA only on vehicles which may never be driven on a public highway," and are only listed in the 'off-road exhaust parts' section.
Last edited by Josh|Swag; Sep 15, 2011 at 06:14 PM.
New Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,743
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
Just out of curiosity, how does a cop justify giving a ticket for an illegal or "improper" exhaust without basing it on the sound created?
I'm still not clear on what made the exhaust a ticketable offense without having a decibel meter.
I'm still not clear on what made the exhaust a ticketable offense without having a decibel meter.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,998
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I would recommend you check with some local car forums from your area. There is a very good chance someone has fought this battle before you. I would also recommend you look up case law for Georgia. The statute is very open-ended, which could either screw you or work in your favor.
I would also ignore some of the sea-lawyers posting in this thread. What may work in state XXX probably doesn't apply to your state.
Btw, because a company states something is legal, doesn't always mean so.
Good luck.
I would also ignore some of the sea-lawyers posting in this thread. What may work in state XXX probably doesn't apply to your state.
Btw, because a company states something is legal, doesn't always mean so.
Good luck.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,998
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
The Georgia statute doesn't indicate a decibel level, which makes it subjective. It wouldn't surprise me if the courts there consider anything louder than stock to be in violation (just like Virginia, for example).
New Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,743
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
I would suggest more research into the way your state handles things like this before I take the word of the company that it's compliant with ALL local law enforcement rules.
Being from Indy, I'm used to having a lifted pickup or ratty old Mustang pass me with exhaust so loud I have to turn my head to save my brain.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I would recommend you check with some local car forums from your area. There is a very good chance someone has fought this battle before you. I would also recommend you look up case law for Georgia. The statute is very open-ended, which could either screw you or work in your favor.
I would also ignore some of the sea-lawyers posting in this thread. What may work in state XXX probably doesn't apply to your state.
Btw, because a company states something is legal, doesn't always mean so.
Good luck.
I would also ignore some of the sea-lawyers posting in this thread. What may work in state XXX probably doesn't apply to your state.
Btw, because a company states something is legal, doesn't always mean so.
Good luck.
However.. the government tends to always have a sly way of getting what they want regardless of what the law says.
And the thing is, my exhaust isn't even that loud. I used to have an M3 that had to be atleast three times louder. I couldn't find anything online stating decibel levels in georgia, but I can't see my exhaust being THAT much louder than stock although it's obviously somewhat louder.
Last edited by Josh|Swag; Sep 15, 2011 at 06:55 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
I'd take it to court. Take all the facts with you. I think you would
get out of it! Now if you had test pipes in or something, then I could see.
But its a legal cat back system. The cop can't go by just what
he thinks (though many do). It would be like he gave you a tint
ticket becuase he thought your tint was to dark, but didn't check it.
Fight it, I would.
Any Harley is louder than our cars will ever be!
get out of it! Now if you had test pipes in or something, then I could see.
But its a legal cat back system. The cop can't go by just what
he thinks (though many do). It would be like he gave you a tint
ticket becuase he thought your tint was to dark, but didn't check it.
Fight it, I would.
Any Harley is louder than our cars will ever be!
Last edited by Z-Tuner; Sep 15, 2011 at 08:38 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
From what i kno in CA, DragNet changed the "exhaust" law. It used to be that the exhaust can not be louder than 91dbs. Now it's according to officer's discretion.
In light on your situation, main reason why aftermarket, race only exhausts are illegal is because of emissions. If the exhaust is completely legal and passes emissions, than I don't see the point of the citation.
**correct me if I'm wrong**
-miLes.
In light on your situation, main reason why aftermarket, race only exhausts are illegal is because of emissions. If the exhaust is completely legal and passes emissions, than I don't see the point of the citation.
**correct me if I'm wrong**
-miLes.
Last edited by miLes.; Sep 15, 2011 at 10:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I'd take it to court. Take all the facts with you. I think you would
get out of it! Now if you had test pipes in or something, then I could see.
But its a legal cat back system. The cop can't go by just what
he thinks (though many do). It would be like he gave you a tint
ticket becuase he thought your tint was to dark, but didn't check it.
Fight it, I would.
Any Harley is louder than our cars will ever be!
get out of it! Now if you had test pipes in or something, then I could see.
But its a legal cat back system. The cop can't go by just what
he thinks (though many do). It would be like he gave you a tint
ticket becuase he thought your tint was to dark, but didn't check it.
Fight it, I would.
Any Harley is louder than our cars will ever be!
I like your sense of sarcasm. Judging by your name, and researching your previously posted topics, I would assume that you are/have been a part of law enforcement yourself. Am I correct? If you'd like to add some sort of educated knowledge to the discussion then you're more than welcome to.. but I'd appreciate it if you left the unnecessary bias out.
I never claimed to know all the laws in Georgia, I claimed to have read and interpreted the law in which he cited me for breaking. That is one specific law, not every law in Georgia.
So actually, I do know the law in which I was cited for. You can read it if you'd like, it's on my original post. No need to be sarcastic or hostile, this was just an attempt for me to see what other people thought about the situation and maybe obtain some advice from their opinions.
I almost feel as if you are taking some sort of personal offense to this topic.
Last edited by Josh|Swag; Sep 15, 2011 at 10:32 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: California
I live in California, have a Injen SES TD exhaust with my resonators removed on my HR. It is so nerve-racking when I am near a cop...
Looking at the GA code you posted you should be fine, as long as the exhaust you bought fits in the proper DB level. Most aftermarket (Cat Back) exhausts are completely emissions legal, but the majority are technically to loud for street use. Keep digging in the laws for the DD level your car needs to meet, test your car, then go from there.
