Sick of hearing loud cars roar? Illinois has laws about mufflers and exhaust systems

If you drive often around the metro-east or across the river into St. Louis, you likely hear excessively loud vehicles from time to time.

Some states require a muffler to prevent excessive noise , while others require an exhaust system, and some states require a muffler or exhaust system and allow drivers to choose between the two.

People who prefer to drive a loud car sometimes partake in a “muffler delete” modification , but this is illegal in many states and can lead to expensive fines. Here’s what to know about Illinois state law on preventing excessive vehicle noise.

Is it legal to modify your muffler in Illinois?

Illinois state law requires vehicles to have an adequate muffler or exhaust system.

“Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this Section,” the relevant portion of Illinois state law reads.

The fine for the first offense is $164, not including court fees, Illinois State Police trooper Haylie Polistina wrote in a recent email to the BND.

The BND has asked the Belleville Police Department how many citations they’ve issued for this provision in recent years, but did not receive an immediate response.

Another Illinois law regulates how much and what kind of tinting drivers can lawfully use on their front windshield and car windows. On the front windshield, drivers may only have a nonreflective tinted film extending no more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield, while regulations differ for windows.

Safety tips for Illinois drivers

Infrastructure, such as road diets, bike lanes, separate bike and pedestrian trails , traffic calming measures and more play an important role in road safety, but there are also steps drivers can take to mitigate risks.

Here are some best practices to follow for safe driving , from the Illinois Department of Transportation:

• Avoid distracted driving.

• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

• Wear a seatbelt, and make sure your child is in an appropriate car seat.

• Avoid aggressive driving, such as speeding, running red lights or stop signs, tailgating, cutting off another vehicle, yelling or repeatedly honking your horn.

• Follow construction zone speed limits .

• Slow down and move over for police and other emergency vehicles.

• Yield to cars in funeral processions.

• Follow school zone speed limits and stop for school buses that are loading or unloading.

Do you have a question about the law in Illinois for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.