Pulled over for exhaust
 

Hey guys,
Thought I would share your story and get a little input from you guys.
I was driving down Little River Turnpike in Annandale going the speed limit (maybe 5 over) and I got the dreaded flashing blue lights. I pull into an empty parking lot and the officer pulls up behind me. I roll down my windows and say good evening as politely as you can while being pulled over, and he tells me that I am being pulled over for my exhaust not being stock.

I am running the MXP Comp RS, which in my opinion is not that loud compared to the N1 or other brands out there. Long story short I get off with a warning and he tells me that he recommends reverting to stock in order to avoid this hassle.

I was wondering if you guys had any experience getting pulled over for an exhaust and IF you did get a ticket, do you have to pay it or is there a way to defend yourself?
I did a quick google search, and got a mixed bag of answers, so I am turning to you guys for support.

Ps.
Was planning on getting some UEL headers, but now I feel a bit cautious as I know it will make a lot more noise.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

Dang thats crazy dude. I was actually thinking of selling my perrin 3in catback for the comp RS. I'd say just play it safe and just stay with your current exhaust right now.

Got pulled over last summer on my way out past Front Royal on 66 by a state trooper. Was doing the exact speed of 70 MPH and was at the base of a large hill going up.

He started off by asking about my taillights then check my window tent which was legal as well. Told me he could hear my exhaust as im sitting there trying to talk over all the other loud cars going by. Note I was 100% of the time fully reasonable an nice.

I have a Borla UEL header with HKS dual resonator with a Perrin non resonated cat back. He gave me a ticket which I was pretty pissed about.

If I recall it was about 90$. I could have gone to court and fought it and won but it was so far away and also being that just taking a day off work alone would make me end up just losing more money.

I have a gruppe-s uel, berk catted front pipe, and trd catback. It's loud enough that I've set a few car alarms off in parking garages when I start it. I've never been pulled over with it.

I would for sure be pulled over in other parts of VA because they are more rural and strict. However, I thought we were pretty safe in NoVa because they had actually crime to stop not petty bullshit like exhausts.

But how can they issue a ticket without an actual dB measurement?

I'm awaiting the day this happens, I live in Annandale, non-resonated front pipe, N1 exhaust, and I use my little toe to accelerate when I am near cops, lmao. But I was also curious as to the offense itself, from what I heard (may be false) things like tints are a secondary offense but not grounds to be the sole reason for a stop? If this is true, is it true with exhausts?

Measurements are not required by most jurisdictions in North America. In Ontario there isn't even a requirement to be under any certain dB level. The law just states no louder than stock (in a round about legalese way). Makes it pretty hard to fight a ticket when it is up to the officers subjective opinion if it is "too loud" or not.

Can't speak to your State/County/Municipal laws specifically but in general all that is required is a "reason to believe" that a law or code has been broken to stop you. Just because it may be a second level offense does not mean they can't stop you for it and it alone.

That is retarded! The only instance in Ontario that I personally know of is my buddy getting pulled over for a fart can muffler he got at pacific mall and put on his ancient pontiac grand am (lol). He got a ticket, paid it and kept driving. I would go and fight it, hoping either the officer doesn't bother to show up (although they get double pay as an incentive) or it doesn't hold up that well precisely due to the vague nature of this law/rule whatever it is.

Most cops are nice. I will take a warning anyday. If your state requires stock exhaust, I would slip on some TRD stuff.

The officer does not have to show up. They haven't had to show up for many years yet this myth still goes on. They can testify through written submission for something as basic as a loud exhaust. The vague nature of the law works in it's favour not against it. You would have to prove that your exhaust was indeed no louder than stock. That would require a document from an expert and could cost you way more than the ticket.
If you have a loud exhaust and are driving around it you are breaking the law there is no two ways about it. You may not agree with the law but that means nothing since it still is the law. There are very few loopholes in Ontario transportation laws. Yes a lawyer may be able to do something but that would cost you more than the ticket. Tickets for illegal mods on cars in Ontario do not impact your insurance nor your points so there is no ramifications beyond the cash to receive one. Consider it a pay to play tax.

I carry the TRD brochure with me to show that my TRD exhaust is technically "stock" as it is available as an option from the dealer. So far I have never had to show it since in my mirror I have seen many a cop follow me, reach down to run my plate and then turn away and leave me alone when he get's the results.

This. Play it by ear on where you live.

You did well with a warning.

I live in an area where most cops are mod friendly, but the law is not so they have a lot of leeway. If you're being a jerk about it, you're going to get nailed on every item, but they won't care if you have an exhaust or something.

My best advice is to stick with simple, ultra clean looking catbacks to help avoid some of the issue. (Non burned titanium tips, no melon canons, etc.)

I chose the MXP SP since it was a bit more aggressive while having a simpler tip design that looks more like a factory performance part.

I'm running UEL, no cats (at all) and supercharged. Never been yanked. I got complimented by the officer on rt 7. He said it sounded mean lol

For you: I wouldn't worry about it. In va they don't really care.