State vs aftermarket exhaust

[kpaske]

Yes, to reiterate my original point, this isn't likely something that will "go to court". An inspection order gives you 30 days to prove that your vehicle is in compliance with all of the local laws, and if not, to make the appropriate repairs.

Call up the MVA in Glen Burnie and ask them how they determine whether your VX is in compliance or not. They have folks from the State PD who are trained to inspect your vehicle and have the authority to pass or fail you (unlike the patrolman who issued you the ticket).

[WormGod]

Better yet....

Took it for the inspection this morning. Sucks that I had to pay for it, but whatever, if it clears me, so be it. Anyways, the VX passed in all aspects. I didnt tell them I had a work order, but that I just wanted an inspection for "my sake". There wasnt even a mention of the exhaust (as I didnt even mention it was the concern). I THEN told them why I had them inspect it. The tech, Martin, looked at the order and then asked what sort of exhaust it was. He, of course, had never heard of a PowerVault, but said it didnt cause any fume or noise concern. He looked a few more things over like the catalytic and tailpipe and just shrugged. He had no idea what the state cop was thinking. He told me, there ARE a few ordinances concerning exhausts in MD but they are mostly emissions reliant. Noise is a small concern, but it is not necassarily illegal, unless it it outrageously loud, but that would fall under a basic disturbing of the peace, heh. He signed off on my order and told me to go to court anyways and present that order to the judge as proof that there is nothing wrong or illegal about my exhaust. He had no qualms about the court having his information, as if they would even contact him for whatever, but he wrote it down for me anyways (i guess to prove that he isnt one of those pay-off inspection techs).

So, now I just sit back and wait for my court date. On a plus note, I have to take the VX to emissions this weekend.... and I will take note of what they DONT say when it passes with flying colrs and bring that info to court as well.

[etlsport]

woo VX conquers all!

[morgan-tec]

Sounds like the kid that got the ***** beat out of him in high school got himself a badge huh. The only thing i can imagine is that they have some sort of DB regulation. But even then he would need to have metered you to write you a ticket for that. Here in Co i got nabbed for my bike a few years back. The cops were driving around the group of bikes i rode with metering all of us just to be a$$holes. I was the only one that got a ticket, oh well $15 for more hp and noise is a small price to pay. FIGHT THE MAN AND WIN!!!

[Hotsauce]

There is no way the officer can issue a noise ticket without a measurement, just like he can't issue a speeding ticket without comparrison of your speed to a calibrated device.

Just to say that your truck is louder than others is a purely subjective observation, and in no way accurate.

For a noise ticket to be issued he needs a dB meter AND calibration records for it.

John C.

[kpaske]

There is no way the officer can issue a noise ticket without a measurement, just like he can't issue a speeding ticket without comparrison of your speed to a calibrated device.

That's obviously not true, because he got a ticket, and (as far as we know) the cop didn't use any sort of measuring device. The fact is, it happens all the time in Maryland. Read my previous posts for several other real world examples.

WG - I'm surprised you are going to court at all. Unless the rules have changed all you need to do is go to the Glen Burnie MVA and have the State PD inspect it. It's free (unless you're guilty, of course) and you can do it on your own schedule. I personally wouldn't bother wasting a day in court without first trying to settle it the easy way.

[psychos2]

In NY it is against the law to modify your stock exhaust. I have been pulled over a few times and have not had anyone tell me my exhaust was too loud. They pull me over to tell me I was going too fast!! But they have never mentioned my exhaust and they were standing next to the vx while it was running. shawn

[WormGod]

That's obviously not true, because he got a ticket, and (as far as we know) the cop didn't use any sort of measuring device. The fact is, it happens all the time in Maryland. Read my previous posts for several other real world examples.

WG - I'm surprised you are going to court at all. Unless the rules have changed all you need to do is go to the Glen Burnie MVA and have the State PD inspect it. It's free (unless you're guilty, of course) and you can do it on your own schedule. I personally wouldn't bother wasting a day in court without first trying to settle it the easy way.

I simply feel I have a point to prove I guess. Present the facts to the judge and let my case be known. Of course, if there is some SECRET law that has been passed and it is simply not known to priveledged drivers, then I will surely be in for a surprise awakening, haha. Then again, my luck, the cop wont even show up and it will get thrown out.

And no need to go to Glen Burnie. I cop friend told me that I could deal with it at the Gaithersburg DMV. I was told by them that this works like a traffic ticket basically and if they are not mailed a reciept, a court date is mailed to my address and thus, the fun begins. So ya, I feel I have to point to prove somewhere deep down inside of me (probably my colon).