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Tennessee Exhaust & Muffler Laws (2026)

Info: 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.

InfoVerified Jul 26, 2026

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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. A muffler that produces excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke is treated as not in good working order, and it's a defense to show the muffler doesn't exceed 95 decibels under SAE measurement standards. Farm tractors and implements of husbandry are exempt (Tenn. Code 55-9-202, as amended by Public Chapter 164, effective July 1, 2023).

Official source: publications.tnsosfiles.com →

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

Exhaust & Muffler in states bordering Tennessee

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

AlabamaInfo
Your vehicle needs a muffler in good working order, operating at all times, and muffler cutouts, bypasses (which route exhaust around the muffler), and devices with no baffles are prohibited, while excessive noise or annoying smoke and fumes are barred. Alabama sets no fixed decibel limit (Ala. Code § 32-5-216).
Verified Jul 26, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasInfo
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).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: ardot.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaInfo
Every vehicle needs an exhaust system in good working order and running at all times, and it's a misdemeanor to use, sell or offer for sale a muffler that causes excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke, or any muffler cutout or bypass (which routes exhaust around the muffler). …
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: legis.ga.gov · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyInfo
Your vehicle needs a suitable, efficient muffler; running with the cutout removed is prohibited, and so is any change that makes the exhaust louder than the factory setup. Kentucky sets no fixed decibel limit (KRS § 189.140).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky 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 →
North CarolinaInfo
Your vehicle needs a factory-type (OEM) muffler and exhaust in good working order, and muffler cut-outs (which route exhaust around the muffler) are prohibited. North Carolina sets no fixed decibel limit (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-128).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: ncleg.net · Full North Carolina rule →
VirginiaInfo
Your vehicle needs an exhaust system in good working order so it doesn't make excessive or unusual noise, and chambered pipes count as a violation. Virginia sets no fixed decibel limit (Va. Code § 46.2-1049).
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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