OHV Noise Regulations

Help protect your sport by meeting the off-highway vehicle noise standards. Partnering agencies will be conducting sound tests on public lands where OHVs are used.

OHV Noise Study
A copy of the complete report is available in PDF. An Executive Summary at the beginning of the report includes an introduction, background, scope and conclusions.

OHV Noise Cards
Noise Cards available by phone (916-324-4442) or mail (OHMVRD, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001) for your convenience.

You may print the noise card image by right-clicking your mouse on the image and left-clicking "Print Picture..."

To see a full version of AB2274 off the California Legislative Website, click here.

BILL NUMBER: AB 2274 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT

CHAPTER 563
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2002
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2002
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 27, 2002
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 23, 2002
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2002

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Keeley and Wyland

(Excerpts related to OHV noise regulations effective January 1, 2003)

SEC. 45. Section 38370 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
38370(h) On and after January 1, 2003, off-highway motor vehicles,when operating pursuant to Section 38001, shall at all times be equipped with a silencer, or other device, which limits noise emissions. (1) Noise emissions of competition off-highway vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1998, shall be limited to not more than 96 dbA, and if manufactured prior to January 1, 1998, to not more than 101 dbA, when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J-1287, as applicable. Noise emissions of all other off-highway vehicles shall be limited to not more than 96 dbA if manufactured on or after January 1, 1986, and not more than 101 dbA if manufactured prior to January 1, 1986, when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J-1287, as applicable. (2) The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation shall evaluate and reassess the dates specified in paragraph (1) and include the findings and recommendations in the noise report required in subdivision (o) of Section 5090.32 of the Public Resources Code. (i) Off-highway vehicle manufacturers or their agents prior to the sale to the general public in California of any new off-highway vehicle model manufactured after January 1, 2003, shall provide to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California Department of Parks and Recreation rpm data needed to conduct the J-1287 test, where applicable.

J1287 Test Information
The J1287 test standard is in the document entitled Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles. It may be purchased at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) website. You can also get it here under the terms of our license from the SAE:

"SAE J1287_199807 © 1998 SAE International.
This paper is published on this web-site with permission from SAE International. As a user of this web-site, you are permitted to view this paper on-line, download this pdf file and print one copy at no cost for your use only. The downloaded pdf file and printout of this SAE paper may not be copied, distributed or forwarded to others or for the use of others."

Download J1287 Exhaust Sound Testing Standard (pdf)


OHV Noise Regulations Help protect your sport by meeting the off-highway vehicle noise standards. Partnering agencies will be conducting sound tests on public lands where OHVs are used. OHV Noise Study A copy of the complete report is available in PDF. An Executive Summary at the beginning of the report includes an introduction, background, scope and conclusions. OHV Noise Cards Noise Cards available by phone (916-324-4442) or mail (OHMVRD, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001) for your convenience. You may print the noise card image by right-clicking your mouse on the image and left-clicking "Print Picture..." *To see a full version of AB2274 off the California Legislative Website,* *click here. BILL NUMBER: AB 2274 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 563 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2002 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2002 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 27, 2002 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 23, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2002 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Keeley and Wyland (Excerpts related to OHV noise regulations effective January 1, 2003) SEC. 45. Section 38370 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 38370(h) On and after January 1, 2003, off-highway motor vehicles,when operating pursuant to Section 38001, shall at all times be equipped with a silencer, or other device, which limits noise emissions. (1) Noise emissions of competition off-highway vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1998, shall be limited to not more than 96 dbA, and if manufactured prior to January 1, 1998, to not more than 101 dbA, when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J-1287, as applicable. Noise emissions of all other off-highway vehicles shall be limited to not more than 96 dbA if manufactured on or after January 1, 1986, and not more than 101 dbA if manufactured prior to January 1, 1986, when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J-1287, as applicable. (2) The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation shall evaluate and reassess the dates specified in paragraph (1) and include the findings and recommendations in the noise report required in subdivision (o) of Section 5090.32 of the Public Resources Code. (i) Off-highway vehicle manufacturers or their agents prior to the sale to the general public in California of any new off-highway vehicle model manufactured after January 1, 2003, shall provide to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California Department of Parks and Recreation rpm data needed to conduct the J-1287 test, where applicable. J1287 Test Information* The J1287 test standard is in the document entitled Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles. It may be purchased at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) website. You can also get it here under the terms of our license from the SAE: "SAE J1287_199807 © 1998 SAE International. This paper is published on this web-site with permission from SAE International. As a user of this web-site, you are permitted to view this paper on-line, download this pdf file and print one copy at no cost for your use only. The downloaded pdf file and printout of this SAE paper may not be copied, distributed or forwarded to others or for the use of others." Download J1287 Exhaust Sound Testing Standard (pdf)