Motor vehicle noise violation
Florida Statute § 316.293
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
Total vehicle noise may not exceed the class/year-specific limit measured under approved procedures, ordinarily 50 feet from the lane center. For 1979-and-newer ordinary vehicles the limits are 72 dBA where the speed limit is 35 mph or less and 79 above; motorcycles use 78/82, and qualifying 1975-and-newer vehicles rated at least 10,000 pounds use 86/90. Older classes have different limits. Separately, exhaust/noise-control modifications may not make a highway vehicle louder than originally manufactured. Record the applicable class, measurement or modification evidence, and any emergency, competition, testing, construction, or agricultural exception.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Equipment / Noise
- Type
- Non-Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Nonmoving infraction
- Points
- 0
- Fine / Penalty
- $30 base nonmoving penalty; offense-specific penalties/court costs may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.