In February 2008 Hon Harry Duynhoven, Minister for Transport Safety, announced a series of further amendments to tackle noisy exhausts. The proposals will be consulted on as part of the normal Rule making process and may be subject to change. The following Questions and Answers set out the intended changes.
What will these further amendments mean for the owners of vehicles with modified exhausts?
It is proposed that if a modified vehicle goes for a warrant or certificate of fitness inspection, and the inspector finds the tailpipe noise is not “less than or similar” to the noise expected from a standard exhaust of that vehicle (and there is no evidence that it has passed a certified metered tail-pipe noise test), there will be no option for the owner to repair it before undergoing a metered test. Instead the inspector will send the vehicle straight to a metered test (which is expected to cost approximately $150) and if found to be louder than 95 decibels, the owner will have to repair the exhaust so it emits no more than 90 decibels. (This is five decibels less than the limit and is a penalty for breaching it).
After the car’s exhaust has been repaired, it will have to undergo a second metered test (another $150) and only when it has reached 90 decibels will it get a certificate and a “pass” sticker for the exhaust. The car can then go back to the warrant or certificate of fitness inspector who will issue a certificate.
Police officers will also be able to direct a vehicle with an overly noisy modified exhaust to undergo a metered noise test and to require, if it fails that test, for the exhaust to be repaired so it meets the penalty standard of 90 decibels.
How much does it cost to have an exhaust repaired so it matches the 90 decibel limit?
The estimated cost will vary for each vehicle and the extent of repair required, but is expected to be on average $300 to $500.
Will there be a time limit on how long the exhaust has to meet the limit of 90 decibels?
No. If a vehicle fails its WoF inspection and the old warrant or certificate of fitness has expired, it is not allowed to be driven on the road (unless it is being operated solely for the purpose of bringing it into compliance and obtaining a new WoF — and provided the vehicle is safe to be operated for that purpose).
Will the vehicle be able to be returned for the metered noise test with a standard exhaust in place?
Yes. It is proposed that the complying exhaust will be stickered and be the one to which the WoF or CoF applies. It is already illegal to drive a vehicle on the road if the standard exhaust is removed and replaced with another that would not pass a warrant or certificate of fitness inspection.
Why did you not just include the new amendments in the June 2008 amendment Rule?
The Government wants to give car owners a chance to do the right thing.
The June 2008 Rule is designed to deal with the very worst offenders and the Government will follow up the Rule with a penalty if vehicle owners do not comply with it.
It was always the intention to tighten the new vehicle rule further, action is being taken now so that the next steps in the efforts to reduce noise can commence even sooner.
When will these new controls come into effect?
The proposals will be consulted on as part of the normal Rule making process and may be subject to change. The Rule is expected to be finalised by the end of 2008. The implementation date will depend on practical issues including matters such as how quickly any testing regime can be established if it is required and whether any other changes are required to warrant and certificate of fitness procedures.