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Motor Vehicle Noise

Motor vehicle noise in the City of Sydney can be a serious problem for residents.  Noise from cars, motorcycles and trucks can come from different sources, such as horns, brakes, a refrigerator left running on a parked truck, engine or muffler noise from modified motorcycles or cars, deliberately revving engines, or the use of amplified sound systems.

The Police and the Department of Environment, Climate Change  and Water (DECCW) handle most noise complaints about cars and motorcycles. The City of Sydney can respond to complaints about alarms, sound systems and vehicle refrigerators.

New South Wales law requires that:

  • Noise levels from motor vehicle exhausts must not exceed specified maximum noise levels.
  • Vehicle engines must not be modified so they are louder than when originally manufactured.
  • Noise control equipment on motor vehicles must not be defective and must be securely in place.
  • Car alarms must not sound for longer than permitted times.

Residents can report vehicles with noisy engines and exhaust systems to DECCW’s Environment Line on 131 555. You will need to provide the vehicle’s registration number, its make, model and colour and note when and where the noisy incident occurred.

Police and officers of the DECCW can require vehicles to be inspected and tested for compliance with the noise control regulation at a network of Authorised Testing Stations around NSW.  Police and the DECCW also have the power to issue on-the-spot fines to motorists who have illegally modified the noise reduction equipment on their car or motorcycle.

NSW Police can respond to complaints about deliberately noisy and dangerous driving, illegal sounding of horns, and offensive noise from motor vehicle sound systems.  To report these problems, contact your local police station or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

The City of Sydney can respond to complaints about offensive noise from car intruder alarms  or noise from vehicle refrigerators that can be heard indoors. To make a report, you can phone the City of Sydney at any time on 02 9265 9333.

More Information

Website: Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water– Motor Vehicle Noise

Last Updated: Wednesday 4 November, 2009

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.