No, Texas law prohibits exhaust systems producing excessive noise under Transportation Code §547.604, with local jurisdictions like Houston and Dallas enforcing decibel limits via municipal ordinances. Violations risk fines up to $200 per offense, and 2026 updates to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s enforcement guidelines may tighten penalties for repeat offenders.
Key Regulations for Loud Exhausts in Texas
- Decibel Limits: State law caps exhaust noise at 92 decibels (dB) for motorcycles and 88 dB for passenger vehicles, measured at 50 feet under Texas DPS standards. Local ordinances, such as Dallas’s 88 dB rule, may impose stricter thresholds.
- Modified Exhaust Systems: Aftermarket exhausts must retain factory-installed mufflers or equivalent sound-dampening devices. Tampering with emissions systems violates both state and federal Clean Air Act provisions.
- Enforcement & Penalties: Law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Highway Patrol, issue citations under §547.604, with fines escalating for repeat violations. Municipal courts, like those in Austin, may impose additional community service requirements.