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Exhaust Noise in New Jersey

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New Jersey sets no statewide decibel limit for passenger cars. A muffler in good working order is required, exhaust may not produce excessive or unusual noise, and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited.

Verified against primary sources · August 2026

What the law says

New Jersey law is qualitative rather than numeric: A muffler in good working order is required, exhaust may not produce excessive or unusual noise, and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited. New Jersey's general noise regulations expressly exempt public roadways, so this section is the only enforcement hook.

Specific Limits

Statewide decibel limit
none

Statute

N.J.S.A. 39:3-70

Read the statute →

Frequently Asked Questions

Are exhaust noise legal in New Jersey?
New Jersey sets no statewide decibel limit for passenger cars. A muffler in good working order is required, exhaust may not produce excessive or unusual noise, and cutouts or bypasses are prohibited.
What are the exact exhaust noise limits in New Jersey?
Statewide decibel limit: none. Source: N.J.S.A. 39:3-70.

Street-legal exhaust noise picks

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