Exhaust Noise in Tennessee
Tennessee bars exhaust sound pressure above 95 dB on any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle — one of the few states with a real statutory number.
Verified against primary sources · August 2026
What the law says
An SAE-standard measurement is available as an affirmative defense. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor. Tennessee has had no safety or emissions inspection since 2022, so enforcement is roadside.
Specific Limits
- dB limit
- 95 dB
- Applies to
- all motor vehicles other than motorcycles
- Test standard
- SAE measurement
Frequently Asked Questions
Are exhaust noise legal in Tennessee?
What are the exact exhaust noise limits in Tennessee?
Street-legal exhaust noise picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in Tennessee.
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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