Loud cars, bikes and light trucks continue to cause noise pollution issues for Victorians with Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) issuing thousands of notices.
In a first, EPA officers recently joined Victoria Police at Altona Police Station for a vehicle call in, where police issue notices to suspect vehicles to be brought in for road safety inspections.
EPA officers took the opportunity to test vehicle noise emissions. See the video here
Of the nine vehicles tested, six will be issued infringement notices for failing to comply with vehicle noise limits under Environment Protection Regulations (2021). Each infringement notice issued to the register owner will total $908.70.
Those who failed to comply with noise emission limits will also receive a Vehicle Testing Notice (VTN). The notice directs that the owner of the vehicle must take it to an EPA approved vehicle tester to gain a Certificate of Compliance. Failure to comply with the notice may result in further infringement notices or vehicle registration being suspended. That fine could be as much as $1,090 for an individual who is still not able to drive the vehicle until it is compliant. If the matter goes to court that could rise as high as $5,452 for individuals and up to $54,522 for businesses.
Anyone can report a noisy vehicle to Victoria Police, who then alert EPA. Between October 2021 and April 2022 EPA has issued 3,335 VTNs to individual vehicle owners.
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. You may enjoy the loud sound of your vehicle but not everybody else does. Be respectful of other road users, residents and neighbours who may not appreciate your vehicles engine noise as much as you do.
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, you will be caught and fined.
EPA and vehicle noise
• EPA regulates noise and emissions from light vehicles – under 4.5 T gross
• The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Heavy Vehicle Regulator regulates noise from heavy vehicles
• Does not apply to new (unmodified) vehicles
• EP 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 witness 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.
• EPA has issued 3,335 vehicle testing notices between Oct 2021 and April 2022
• If they fail to have their vehicle certified as compliant, an individual may receive an infringement of $1090
• Increases to $5452 for a company owned vehicle.
Operations with Victoria Police
• EPA operates coregulatory 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.
• Type EPA noise test into your internet search engine or on the EPA website
• Testers are listed by location
• Call and make an appointment with the tester.
