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RSA 266:59-a · Motorcycle Noise Levels

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
266 · EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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266:59-a Motorcycle Noise Levels. –

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I.

No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of the following decibels, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the SAE International Recommended Practice SAE J2825, "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles":

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(a)

For all motorcycles, 92 decibels while the engine is operating at idle speed; or

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(b)

For motorcycles with less than 3 or more than 4 cylinders, 96 decibels while the engine is operating at 2,000 revolutions per minute or 75 percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less; or

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(c)

For 3 and 4 cylinder motorcycles, 100 decibels while the engine is operating at 5,000 revolutions per minute or 75 percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less.

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II.

Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $300. Source. 1992, 94:1. 1993, 9:1. 2005, 266:2. 2012, 61:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013. 2025, 141:247, eff. Jan. 31, 2026.

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Source note

Source. 1992, 94:1. 1993, 9:1. 2005, 266:2. 2012, 61:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013. 2025, 141:247, eff. Jan. 31, 2026.

Source history

  • 1992, 94:1
  • 1993, 9:1
  • 2005, 266:2
  • 2012, 61:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013
  • 2025, 141:247, eff. Jan. 31, 2026

Related materials

Bill relationships

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  • 2026 HB1560 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB1560-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB649 amend

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  • 2026 HB649-FN amend

    of motor vehicle operators. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 69:1 New Section; Operation of Unsafe Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section RSA 266:8-a the following new section: 266:8-b Operator Vehicle Maintenance. I. No person shall drive, or permit to be driven upon any way a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (

  • 2025 HB2 amend

    ,] and certification[, and inspection] process for additional truck weights, as well as procedures to become certified as a vehicle inspector for additional weights. 141:247 Inspection; Motorcycle Noise. Amend RSA 266:59-a to read as follows: 266:59-a Motorcycle Noise Levels. I. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of the following decibels, when measured in accordance with

  • 2025 HB2 reference

    ut only if the dealer presents to the customer at the time of sale a notice which states: This motor vehicle [will not pass a New Hampshire inspection and] is unsafe for operation upon the highways pursuant to RSA 266. The following defects must be corrected [before an inspection sticker will be issued]. The dealer shall list all [inspection] defects under this statement and specify the date on which the inspection was cond