What Is the Legal Noise Limit for Cars?

Summary

Noisy exhausts and loud engine revving can seriously disturb your peace, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning. What's more, high levels of vehicle noise have been linked to various human health issues, especially in urban environments. The good news is there are tightly controlled legal noise limits for cars that aim to maintain a reasonable noise level from vehicles. So, if you're feeling helpless and frustrated by noisy cars, there are steps you can take to address the issue. In this article we'll cover: * The legislation around loud exhausts and noise limits for cars in the UK; * How to report a car with loud exhaust; * What your options are if it's the same car causing the disturbance repeatedly; * The rules around 'car meets'; * Potential penalties and consequences of having a loud exhaust. The legal sound limit for new cars is 72 decibels (dB), set to decrease to 68dB from 2026. Noise regulation for cars was first introduced back in 1929 and is currently governed by the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use Regulations) 1986. As can be seen from the forthcoming reduction in the noise limit for new cars, lawmakers are keen on decreasing noise levels.

Key information

• The legislation around loud exhausts and noise limits for cars in the UK;
• How to report a car with loud exhaust;
• What your options are if it's the same car causing the disturbance repeatedly;
• The rules around 'car meets';
• Potential penalties and consequences of having a loud exhaust.
• The police can hand out £50 fines for exhausts that don’t meet legal limits;
• Vehicles can be taken off the road until noisy exhausts are replaced;
• Noisy exhausts and loud engine revving can seriously disturb your peace, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning. What's more, high levels of vehicle noise have been linked to various human health issues, especially in urban environments.
• The good news is there are tightly controlled legal noise limits for cars that aim to maintain a reasonable noise level from vehicles. So, if you're feeling helpless and frustrated by noisy cars, there are steps you can take to address the issue. In this article we'll cover:
• The legislation around loud exhausts and noise limits for cars in the UK; * How to report a car with loud exhaust; * What your options are if it's the same car causing the disturbance repeatedly; * The rules around 'car meets'; * Potential penalties and consequences of having a loud exhaust.
• The legal sound limit for new cars is 72 decibels (dB), set to decrease to 68dB from 2026.
• Noise regulation for cars was first introduced back in 1929 and is currently governed by the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use Regulations) 1986. As can be seen from the forthcoming reduction in the noise limit for new cars, lawmakers are keen on decreasing noise levels.

Practical guidance

• Source: What Is the Legal Noise Limit for Cars?

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