§ 21226 Motorized Scooter Noise Limits

This law says motorized scooters can't be too loud. It sets a noise limit and requires scooters to have a working muffler to keep noise down.

Key Takeaways

•Motorized scooters can't be louder than 80 dbA when measured 50 feet away.
•Scooters must have a working muffler to reduce noise.
•You can't change the exhaust system to make the scooter louder.
•Selling or riding a scooter that's too loud is against the law.

Example

You buy a motorized scooter to ride around your neighborhood.

The scooter must not be louder than 80 dbA when measured 50 feet away. If it's louder, the seller or rider can get in trouble. Also, you can't remove or change the muffler to make it louder.

How to Calculate

Noise level ≤ 80 dbA at 50 feet from the centerline of travel

Measure the noise level of the scooter using a sound meter.
Place the sound meter 50 feet away from the path the scooter is traveling.
Check if the noise level is 80 dbA or less. If it's louder, the scooter doesn't meet the law.

Testing a motorized scooter's noise level.

Result: The scooter is too loud because 85 dbA is more than the allowed 80 dbA.

(a) A person shall not sell or offer for sale a motorized scooter that produces a maximum noise level exceeding 80 dbA at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of travel when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J331 JAN00. (b) A motorized scooter, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 407.5, shall at all times be equipped with a muffler meeting the requirements of this section, in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and a muffler or exhaust system shall not be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device. (c) A motorized scooter, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 407.5, operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with a muffler meeting the requirements of this section, in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and a muffler or exhaust system shall not be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device. (d) A person shall not modify the exhaust system of a motorized scooter in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise level emitted by the motor of the scooter so that it is not in compliance with this section or exceeds the noise level limit established by subdivision (a). A person shall not operate a motorized scooter with an exhaust system so modified. (Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 755, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005.)

This law says motorized scooters can't be too loud. It sets a noise limit and requires scooters to have a working muffler to keep noise down.

Key Takeaways

•Motorized scooters can't be louder than 80 dbA when measured 50 feet away.
•Scooters must have a working muffler to reduce noise.
•You can't change the exhaust system to make the scooter louder.
•Selling or riding a scooter that's too loud is against the law.

Example

You buy a motorized scooter to ride around your neighborhood.

The scooter must not be louder than 80 dbA when measured 50 feet away. If it's louder, the seller or rider can get in trouble. Also, you can't remove or change the muffler to make it louder.

How to Calculate

Noise level ≤ 80 dbA at 50 feet from the centerline of travel

Measure the noise level of the scooter using a sound meter.
Place the sound meter 50 feet away from the path the scooter is traveling.
Check if the noise level is 80 dbA or less. If it's louder, the scooter doesn't meet the law.

Testing a motorized scooter's noise level.

Result: The scooter is too loud because 85 dbA is more than the allowed 80 dbA.

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Key Terms

References

§ 21226 Motorized Scooter Noise Limits

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Key Terms

References

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

How to Calculate

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References