Exhaust Noise in California
Passenger-car exhaust may not exceed 95 dBA under the current SAE test standard; a working muffler is required and cutouts are prohibited.
Verified against primary sources · August 2026
What the law says
California's 95 dBA limit for vehicles under 6,000 lb GVWR is tested under the most current SAE standard (in practice the SAE J1492 ramp test — AB 2956 replaced the old J1169 reference in 2023). A six-city sound-activated camera pilot (SB 1079) runs through 2027.
Specific Limits
- dB limit cars
- 95 dB
- Test standard
- current SAE standard (J1492 ramp test)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are exhaust noise legal in California?
What are the exact exhaust noise limits in California?
Street-legal exhaust noise picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in California.
Measure your exhaust at the test RPM before a fix-it ticket does.
Shop on AmazonA removable insert that brings a loud exhaust back under your state's limit.
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