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Arkansas Exhaust & Muffler Laws (2026)

Info: Your vehicle needs a factory-spec muffler in good order, and cutouts and bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler) are banned, along with any device that produces excessive noise or smoke.

InfoVerified Jul 30, 2026

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Your vehicle needs a factory-spec muffler in good order, and cutouts and bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler) are banned, along with any device that produces excessive noise or smoke. Arkansas sets no fixed decibel limit (Ark. Code § 27-37-601).

Official source: ardot.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Exhaust & Muffler in states bordering Arkansas

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

LouisianaInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, and cutouts and bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited, while exhaust changes that increase noise are banned. Louisiana sets no fixed decibel limit (La. R.S. §§ 32:352, 32:353).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: legis.la.gov · Full Louisiana rule →
MississippiInfo
Every vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, running at all times, so it doesn't make excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke, and no one may use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device (which routes exhaust around the muffler) on a highway. See Miss. Code § 63-7-55. Mississippi sets no decibel number. Violations of Title 63, Chapter 7 are misdemeanors (§ 63-9-11).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriInfo
Your vehicle needs a properly attached muffler to quiet the exhaust, and muffler cutouts and excessive noise are barred — a violation is an infraction. Missouri sets no fixed decibel limit (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 307.170).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OklahomaInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler or other noise-suppressing system, a cutout or bypass (which routes exhaust around the muffler) is prohibited, and so is any exhaust change that's louder than the factory (OEM) setup. Oklahoma sets no fixed decibel limit (47 O.S. § 12-402).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: oscn.net · Full Oklahoma rule →
TennesseeInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, running at all times, cutouts (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited, and the excessive or unusual noise the law bars includes engine noise from a non-motorcycle that's noticeably louder than similar vehicles and over 95 decibels. …
Verified Jul 26, 2026 · Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · Full Tennessee rule →
TexasInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working condition so it doesn't make excessive or unusual noise, and a cutout, bypass or similar device (which routes exhaust around the muffler) is prohibited. Texas sets no fixed decibel limit (Tex. Transp. Code § 547.604).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: statutes.capitol.texas.gov · Full Texas rule →

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