Exhaust Noise in Texas
Texas 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 · September 2026
What the law says
Texas 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. Texas ended annual safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles on January 1, 2025; roadside enforcement still applies.
Specific Limits
- Statewide decibel limit
- none
Frequently Asked Questions
Are exhaust noise legal in Texas?
What are the exact exhaust noise limits in Texas?
Street-legal exhaust noise picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in Texas.
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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