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OHV / dirt-bike sound limit laws by state

People search “OHV / dirt-bike sound limit by state”, “OHV / dirt-bike sound limit laws by state”, and “OHV dB map” when a road trip, boat, bike, or load is about to cross a line. This page is the 50-state index for ohv / dirt-bike sound limit. Colors and quotes are written for someone in that state today, not for what that state demands of its own registered vehicles.

Open the OHV dB difference map

How states differ

Published statewide dB limit for an OHV or dirt bike (SAE J1287 or named test).

  • Published statewide dB limit — number and test on the card
  • Muffler required; no published statewide dB number

Searches this page is meant to answer

If you typed any of these — or a close variant with a state name — this is the Crosstatelaws topic that should show up:

  • OHV / dirt-bike sound limit by state
  • OHV / dirt-bike sound limit laws by state
  • OHV dB laws by state
  • OHV / dirt-bike sound limit map
  • OHV / dirt-bike sound limit traveling across state lines
  • does ohv / dirt-bike sound limit change by state
  • dirt bike decibel limit by state
  • 96 dB SAE J1287
  • OHV sound limit
  • OHV / dirt-bike sound limit in California / Texas / Florida / New York
  • is ohv / dirt-bike sound limit legal while traveling

All 50 states

One-line traveler summary for each state. Open the map for the quoted rule and footnotes.

Alabama (AL)
Alabama: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Alaska (AK)
Alaska: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Arizona (AZ)
Arizona: 96 dB (SAE current ATV/motorcycle standard (director-adopted)).
Arkansas (AR)
Arkansas: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
California (CA)
California: 96 dB (built on/after 1/1/1986, non-competition); 101 dB pre-1986; competition 96 if built ≥1/1/1998 else 101 (SAE J1287 at 20 inches).
Colorado (CO)
Colorado: 96 dB if built on/after 1/1/1998; 99 dB if earlier (SAE J1287).
Connecticut (CT)
Connecticut: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Delaware (DE)
Delaware: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Florida (FL)
Florida: 96 dB if built after 1/1/1986; 99 dB if earlier (SAE J1287 at 20 inches).
Georgia (GA)
Georgia: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Hawaii (HI)
Hawaii: muffler required; no published statewide dB number. DLNR “supports” a California-style dB figure as policy — that is not a published statutory number on this card.
Idaho (ID)
Idaho: 96 dB (SAE J1287 June 1988, 20 in / 45°).
Illinois (IL)
Illinois: 96 dB on DNR OHV sites (DNR site rule; test method not in 135.80).
Indiana (IN)
Indiana: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Iowa (IA)
Iowa: 96 dB (SAE J1287 (2017-04)).
Kansas (KS)
Kansas: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Louisiana (LA)
Louisiana: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Maine (ME)
Maine: 96 dB (20 inches; commissioner procedures).
Maryland (MD)
Maryland: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Massachusetts (MA)
Massachusetts: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Michigan (MI)
Michigan: 94 dB SAE J1287 if built after 1/1/1986 (99 dB if earlier); or 82 dB moving 50-ft test after 1/1/1986 (86 dB if earlier) (SAE J1287 June 86 stationary OR ANSI S1.4 50-ft moving).
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota: 96 dB for non-competition OHM built 1986+ at 20 in; ATV/ORV overall 99 dB at 20 in (20-inch (DNR J1287-style)).
Mississippi (MS)
Mississippi: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Missouri (MO)
Missouri: muffler required; no published statewide dB number. St. Joe State Park posts 86 dBA — park rule only, not a statewide number.
Montana (MT)
Montana: 96 dB off-highway (SAE J1287).
Nebraska (NE)
Nebraska: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Nevada (NV)
Nevada: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
New Hampshire (NH)
New Hampshire: 96 dB (SAE J1287).
New Jersey (NJ)
New Jersey: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
New Mexico (NM)
New Mexico: 96 dB (statute publishes 96 dB; test method not in the MVD excerpt).
New York (NY)
New York: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
North Carolina (NC)
North Carolina: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
North Dakota (ND)
North Dakota: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Ohio (OH)
Ohio: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Oklahoma (OK)
Oklahoma: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Oregon (OR)
Oregon: 96 dBA (OPRD ATV Guide (SAE method implied)).
Pennsylvania (PA)
Pennsylvania: 99 dB (ANSI/SAE J1287 March 1982 at 20 inches).
Rhode Island (RI)
Rhode Island: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
South Carolina (SC)
South Carolina: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
South Dakota (SD)
South Dakota: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Tennessee (TN)
Tennessee: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Texas (TX)
Texas: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Utah (UT)
Utah: muffler required; no published statewide dB number. Utah Code § 41-22-10.7 requires a noise-control device and does not publish a statewide dB. Moab 92 dBA is a local rule, not this card.
Vermont (VT)
Vermont: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Virginia (VA)
Virginia: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Washington (WA)
Washington: 86 dB SAE J331a at 50 ft OR 105 dB at 20 in (stationary substitute) (SAE J331a or 20-inch / 45° / 1/2 redline substitute).
West Virginia (WV)
West Virginia: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.
Wisconsin (WI)
Wisconsin: 96 dB ATV/UTV (SAE J1287 1998-07). OHM dB in § 23.335 not confirmed as the same number (SAE J1287 1998-07 (ATV/UTV chapter)).
Wyoming (WY)
Wyoming: muffler required; no published statewide dB number.

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Not legal advice. Confirm statutes before you travel. Disclaimer.