Next steps for noisy vehicles announced

Noisy vehicles are likely to come under closer scrutiny announced Transport Safety Minister Duynhoven today.

“All vehicles with a modified exhaust system that fail a subjective noise test at warrant or certificate of fitness will be required to undertake an objective (metered) test. They must comply with the in-service limit of 95 decibels. If the vehicle fails then it will have to be repaired and pass the objective test at 90 decibels,” he said.

In addition, when Police are out on patrol they will be able to direct a noisy vehicle to undergo an objective noise test. In this case the vehicle will be required to meet the stricter 90 decibel limit before it can return to the road.

“These amendments will not affect the majority of vehicle owners in New Zealand. They target only those vehicles with modified exhausts and those people who continue to use a vehicle which exceeds the noise limits set in the current Vehicle Equipment Rule due to take effect on 1 June 2008,” said Mr Duynhoven.

Last December, Minister Duynhoven signed an amendment to target excessively noisy vehicles. From 1 June this year, owners of vehicles that have modified noisy exhausts, will be required to repair their vehicle exhaust or pay for the metered noise test to ensure their vehicles do not exceed a limit of 95 decibels.

These latest measures mean those modified vehicles, which continue to operate without meeting the noise limits, will need to meet stricter limits, said Mr Duynhoven.

The Government also intends to make a further change relating to the entry requirements for vehicles. This change will ensure vehicles meet tighter noise restrictions when they enter New Zealand.

The proposed changes may increase the costs of compliance for some vehicle owners said Mr Duynhoven because if a vehicle fails the metered test “it will need to be repaired then undergo a further test to ensure that it meets the 90 decibel limit.”

“These proposed amendments are subject to the standard consultation process. A draft Rule will be prepared by Land Transport New Zealand for public consultation and I expect this to be completed by the end of the year and come into effect in 2009,” Mr Duynhoven said today.

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