Noisy Subarus, Nissans, Falcons, Commodores and even a new model Ford Mustang have come under the scrutiny of EPA Victoria officers and Victoria Police during a vehicle safety check and noise testing operation on Friday and Saturday night in the heart of Mildura.
Roaming highway patrol police targeted vehicles which were intercepted and then directed to the inspection station for testing.
EPA tested nine vehicles which were all found to be excessively loud due to non-permitted exhaust modifications. The owners of these vehicles received EPA vehicle testing notices and face sanctions of up to $1,000 each for using a vehicle that is excessively load.
Police issued several defect notices for vehicle safety related faults, and at the end of the first night impounded a vehicle for driver drink driving offences.
"Excessively noisy vehicles are a source of great annoyance for people. We hold pop-up operations like this with Victoria Police to send a message to the motoring community; not everyone enjoys the sound of your car or bike as much as you do," EPA Compliance Programs Unit Manager Zac Dornom said.
"It's a bit disappointing that of the nine vehicles pulled over and tested, all needed further action. They'll need their vehicles to be retested again to ensure that compliance with the regulations and allowable noise limits has been met. The Mustang was tested at 115 decibels, 23 decibels over the 92 decibel permitted level."
Owners whose vehicles failed to comply with noise emission limits will also receive a Vehicle Testing Notice (VTN). The notice directs the owner of the vehicle to take it to an EPA approved vehicle tester to get a Certificate of Compliance.
Failure to comply with the notice may result in further infringement notices or the vehicle registration being suspended. That fine could be as much as $1,186 for an individual who is still not able to drive the vehicle until it is deemed compliant. If the matter goes to court that could rise as high as $11,855 for individuals and up to $59,277 for businesses.
Anyone can report a noisy vehicle to Victoria Police at any time, and they then alert EPA.
Proper servicing of your vehicle and avoiding installation of aftermarket devices or exhaust components that increase vehicle noise emissions are simple steps that can be taken by individuals.
This was one of many operations planned by EPA Victoria to target excessively loud vehicle owners, in partnership with Victoria Police, in the next 12 months. If you choose to fit aftermarket exhaust systems that breach permitted limits, the message is you will be caught and fined. And the supplier or installer of those systems could also be in breach of the law and also face a fine.
EPA and vehicle noise
• EPA regulates noise and emissions from light vehicles – under 4.5 T gross
• The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator regulates noise from heavy vehicles
• EPA vehicle regulations cover vehicles in use on a highway only
• Noise limits are adopted from Federal standards
Reports of noisy vehicles.
• EPA receives noisy vehicle reports from Police Officers.
• Officers must observe the noisy vehicle on the highway
• The registered owner will receive a vehicle testing notice and have 28 days to have their vehicle tested and certified compliant at an EPA approved noise tester.
• If they fail to have their vehicle certified as compliant, an individual may receive an infringement of $1,186
• Increases to $5,928 for a company owned vehicle.
Operations with Victoria Police
• EPA conducts joint noisy vehicle operations with Victoria Police
If you wish to report a noisy vehicle
• Inform your local police station if the vehicle is seen on the road
• Noise from a vehicle idling at a residence for a long time may be unreasonable. You can report this to your local council.
• You can also report concerns about road traffic noise to the Department of Transport or your local council.
If you want to check your own vehicle is compliant
• You can book a test with an EPA approved noise tester. Go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/how-to/book-vehicle-noise-test
