Michigan lawmakers propose tougher penalties for excessively loud vehicles
Bills would target illegal exhaust modifications, repeat offenders
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan package of bills aimed at strengthening enforcement against excessively loud vehicles by increasing penalties for repeat offenders and making it easier for police to enforce the state’s vehicle noise laws.
House Bills 6151 and 6152, introduced by state Reps. Jason Hoskins, D-Southfield, and Natalie Price, D-Berkley, would revise portions of the Michigan Vehicle Code related to vehicle noise, illegal exhaust modifications and enforcement procedures. The bills have been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Supporters say the legislation is intended to address complaints from residents about vehicles with modified or defective exhaust systems while making enforcement more consistent across the state. Current law prohibits excessive vehicle noise, but lawmakers say unclear standards and the difficulty of measuring decibel levels have made enforcement challenging.
Under the proposal, officers would no longer be required to rely on decibel measurements when enforcing laws against illegally modified exhaust systems. Instead, the legislation focuses on identifying obvious unlawful vehicle alterations. The package also would allow first-time offenders and drivers whose noisy vehicles result from mechanical problems to avoid penalties if they repair their vehicles before their court date.
The bills also would increase penalties for repeat violations involving illegal vehicle noise and modified exhaust systems while giving law enforcement clearer authority to enforce the regulations.
Hoskins said the legislation is intended to balance residents’ desire for quieter neighborhoods with fairness for drivers who may have legitimate mechanical issues.
“People have a right to enjoy their homes and neighborhoods without being subjected to excessive and unreasonable vehicle noise,” Hoskins said in a statement. “By making the law clearer and giving drivers an opportunity to fix legitimate mechanical problems, we can enforce noise laws more effectively while treating people who made an honest mistake fairly.”
Price said she has heard concerns from residents about loud vehicles disrupting neighborhoods and said the legislation is designed to improve enforcement while giving drivers an opportunity to comply with the law.
House Bill 6151 would amend provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code dealing with enforcement and penalties, while House Bill 6152 would update the state’s vehicle noise limitations and related enforcement provisions. The bills are tie-barred, meaning neither could take effect unless both are enacted.