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Pennsylvania Exhaust & Muffler Laws (2026)

Info: Your vehicle needs a muffler. Cutouts, bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler), and noise-amplifying changes are prohibited.

InfoVerified Jun 19, 2026

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Your vehicle needs a muffler. Cutouts, bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler), and noise-amplifying changes are prohibited. Sound limits are set by Department regulation; the statute itself sets no fixed decibel number (75 Pa.C.S. § 4523).

Official source: legis.state.pa.us →

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

Exhaust & Muffler in states bordering Pennsylvania

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

DelawareInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good order, and muffler cutouts (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited — it's also unlawful to sell a gutted muffler, a cutout, or straight pipe. Delaware sets no fixed decibel limit (21 Del. C. § 4311).
Verified Jul 22, 2026 · Source: delcode.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
MarylandInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, and muffler cutouts and bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited, as are tailpipe extensions that amplify noise. Maryland sets no fixed decibel limit (Md. Transp. § 22-402).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
New JerseyInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, and cut-outs and bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited while excessive or unusual noise is barred. New Jersey sets no fixed decibel limit (N.J. Stat. § 39:3-70).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: nj.gov · Full New Jersey rule →
New YorkInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler. Passenger cars up to 10,000 pounds are capped at 76 decibels at 35 mph or below, and 82 decibels above that, measured at 50 feet (N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 386).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
OhioInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, and a cutout or bypass (which routes exhaust around the muffler) is prohibited, along with devices that produce excessive smoke or gas. Ohio sets no fixed decibel limit (Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.22).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
West VirginiaInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler — factory (OEM) or equivalent — in good working order, and a cutout, bypass or similar device (which routes exhaust around the muffler) is prohibited. West Virginia sets no fixed decibel limit (W. Va. Code § 17C-15-34).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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