If I get pulled over and a cop asks me to rev my engine to see if my exhaust is too loud do I have to?

Question

I have not been pulled over nor do I have a modified exhaust. I was just curious of my rights.

Answer 1

You don't have to, but he will ask you to please step out of the car and rev the engine for you and then give you the ticket for loud exhaust.  Just do what the cop says!  

Answer 2

if you don't do like they say then they try to get you for everthing else

my advice always carry a dozen doughnuts for times like this

Answer 3

No, you only have to step out of the vehicle and give them drivers license, proof of insurance, and registration. You do not have to answer any questions or say or do anything at all.But keep in mind that the police officer may view you as a trouble maker, and issue you more citations for following your rights. Lets just say that all cops are not honest.

Answer 4

Just go ahead and rev the thing. Hes gonna give you a ticket one way or another so you might as well just do what he says.  

Answer 5

You didn't mention what state you are from but in Wisconsin, law enforcement officers have authority to do safety inspections of vehicles. Checking your exhaust would be allowed. I'm sure most, if not all, states have a similar law.

Contrary to what another posted stated, a decimeter is not necessary. Any modifications that cause more noise than original equipment could be illegal.

Answer 6

Unless he is carrying a decimeter (measures decibels) and is trained to use it, you don't need to do that.

They can give you a ticket and you can fight it in court and they will lose as most police departments do not have a decimeter, are trained to use it, or keep it calibrated.........ALL of which MUST be documented and you can ask for such documentation in court, also known as full discovery.  Failure to produce any required documentation is grounds for case dismissal.

I guarrantee that if I rev my FACTORY new car to 3000 RPM it will be "too loud"......

Answer 7

When a cop tells you to do something you do not "have" to do anything. Now a better question might be "should I do what he asks"? To that I would have to say yes. Case in point is why cause more trouble for the police or yourself? Especially over something so simple. By making the work for a police officer more difficult he is going to make your ticket a little more difficult. Just remember cooperation is better for you and the person trying to do their job. BTW exhaust is usually heard while you are driving or called in by a third-party so really you shouldn't be asked to "rev" your engine.