State Law?

[Rowboat]

I was pulled over by none other than the infamous ISP (I hate them with a passion), and written a ticket for illegal exhaust (Flowmaster 40 series with duel tips), and illegal window tint.

The window tint was questionable. The officer had a piece of legal window tint handy (33%)... I let him know that it was pretty dang close if not the same as what I had (I wasn't positive as the tint came on my truck when I bought it) and he said from his car he couldn't see anything through my rear window. I'm pretty sure you get a car length away from a tinted vehicle, even 33% tint, and your going to have a hell of a time seeing through, kind of the purpose of window tint no?

I was also under the impression that Flowmaster is 50 state legal?

I definitely plan on fighting this, but would like some more knowledge before going to bat...

 

[80 ponies]

Did you get his name by any chance?

 

[Rowboat]

Cpl. something. I'll have to get it off the report.

 

[mastertech]

By federal law, Any modifications to the exhaust/emmission system is illegal..

 

[suva]

In Idaho you can run ANY tint on your back window, technically anything other than OEM exhaust is illegal in Idaho. God I hate dealing with powertrip cops.

 

[xpsnogoer]

Pull Over

I have been pulled over because I have a trailer and therfore must be drinking. That is what they are after so be careful.

 

[sledhauler07]

tint is restricted on % on the 2 front windows only. other than that you can do "limo" dark and its fine. the piece of legal tint is lame and i'd definately fight that. in utah a cop pulled me over and had a hand held meter that measure the amount of light that passed through the tint... much more accurate.

not sure about the exhaust, but there are TONS of vehicles (cars, trucks hell even bikes) that aren't running stock exhausts... what if your exhast was damaged or worn out? you have to replace it, therefore its not stock. should they shut down midas?! does that mean that all the parts stores are trafficing illegal goods? come on, that is soooo lame.

definately make the judge tell you that you have to fix it. the cop should have to do the hassle of showing up if he is going to write lame tickets.

good luck.

 

[Superdutytd]

I roast cops' asses about stuff like this. I make sure they know I think they are some dumbass badge toter. I will make sure to at least tell them my thoughts on their tickets for a good ten minutes. If they try to hassle me I tell them they either get to write me a ticket or give me a lecture, but NOT BOTH. I might get a ticket but I sure as hell feel better.

 

[suva]

tint is restricted on % on the 2 front windows only. other than that you can do "limo" dark and its fine. the piece of legal tint is lame and i'd definately fight that. in utah a cop pulled me over and had a hand held meter that measure the amount of light that passed through the tint... much more accurate.

not sure about the exhaust, but there are TONS of vehicles (cars, trucks hell even bikes) that aren't running stock exhausts... what if your exhast was damaged or worn out? you have to replace it, therefore its not stock. should they shut down midas?! does that mean that all the parts stores are trafficing illegal goods? come on, that is soooo lame.

definately make the judge tell you that you have to fix it. the cop should have to do the hassle of showing up if he is going to write lame tickets.

good luck.

The way the law reads is anything other than OEM exhaust is illegal. The way most interpet it is that it can't be any louder than stock. You might be able to get out of the exhaust ticket by buying or having a muffler installed and explaining that the truck came with the loud annoying exhaust and you just hadn't gotten around to fixing it. But from what I remember the exhaust ticket is only $50, is that still the case?

 

[mastertech]

$72.00 I believe. If exhaust is modified do to damage or rust etc, It has to be repaired to OEM standards. Most after market NORMAL mufflers count. Not flowmaster etc.. Thatsis funny that he used a peice of tint in his hands. Most cops that potrol for these problems have the light meter.

 

[Rowboat]

The law on exhausts is so vague, it's ridiculous . I've been told as long as it meets a certain db level at idle it's legal.

(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. When any motor vehicle was originally equipped with a noise suppressing system or when any motor vehicle is required by law or regulation of this state or the federal government to have a noise suppressing system, that system shall be maintained in good working order. No person shall disconnect any part of that system except temporarily in order to make repairs, replacements or adjustments, and no person shall modify or alter that system or its operation in any manner, except to conform to the manufacturer’s specifications. No person shall knowingly operate and no owner shall knowingly cause or permit to be operated any motor vehicle originally equipped or required by any law or regulation of the state or the federal government to be equipped with a noise suppressing system while any part of that system is disconnected or while that system or its operation is modified or altered in any manner, except to conform to the manufacturer’s specifications.

(2) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(3) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle or a motorcycle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of the vehicle or motorcycle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle by the manufacturer.
(4) A showing that the sound made by a passenger motor vehicle or motorcycle exceeds the maximum allowable decibel level shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of subsection (1) of this section.

It seems like it contradicts itself... in all reality a flowmaster meets/exceeds that of an oem muffler? Besides sound, but at idle they aren't loud at all? Given in my truck it is loud at anything but an idle, thanks to a 5 speed. What would be a max db level and how is it tested? At idle? From what distance? How can an officer really tell how loud it is from inside his cruiser.

 

[Desperado]

From reading the above legal explaination you should be fine to get out of the ticket. Simply show this legal explaination and then ask the ticketing cop to produce the recorded db level of your vehicle. Bet he can't (BAM) case dismised. There is no way a cop can tell simply by his or her hearing that a vehicle is to loud at a specific RPM. If he claims he or she can ask them to produce a certificate showing that they are a certified db tester simply by their hearing.

 

[Redsledhead]

I was told if they use a light meter on the window tint to roll down all the other windows before the do the test.

 

[CatWoman]

If you see them........roll windows down BEFORE you get close (or pulled over).

I am legal with mine because I get migraines and have a doctor/specialist letter that gives me an exemption (had to go to HP office to get paperwork all done). I would rather avoid being pulled over though, so if I see an officer, I'll roll down a window to let more light in.

 

[Rowboat]

I've never been hassled for window tint other then it coming to far down on my front windshield...

But the truck may possibly going away tomorrow on trade, not before I have the windows checked and signed off on, and the exhaust db. Tired of the truck, it's been nothing but bad luck.