A person commits the offense of operation without proper exhaust system if the person drives or moves on any highway or owns and causes or knowingly permits to be driven or moved on any highway a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an exhaust system that meets the requirements under this section.
(2)
An exhaust system only meets the requirements of this section if all of the following apply:
(a)
The exhaust system must be in good working order.
(b)
The exhaust system must be in constant operation.
(c)
The exhaust system must meet noise emission standards determined by the Department of Environmental Quality to be substantially equivalent to the following standards based upon a stationary test conducted at a distance of 25 feet in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Environmental Quality:Maximumlevel, Model,Vehicle type dBA YearI. Motor vehiclesrequired toestablish aregistrationweight underORS 803.430 (Certain vehicles required to establish registration weight for fee determination)and commercialbuses 94.................................. before197691.................................. 1976 andafterII. Motorcycles andmopeds 94.................................. before197691.................................. 197689.................................. after 1976III. Motor vehiclesnot describedunder I or II 92.................................. before197688.................................. 1976 andafter
(3)
This section does not apply to the following vehicles:
Antique vehicles that are maintained as collectors’ items and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses, but not used primarily for the transportation of persons or property.
(4)
The court in its discretion may dismiss a citation issued for violation of the offense described in this section if evidence is presented that the exhaust system complies with or has been repaired or modified to comply with the requirements under this section.
(5)
The offense described in this section, operation without proper exhaust system, is a Class C traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §496; 1985 c.16 §257; 1985 c.393 §23; 1997 c.402 §15; 2015 c.138 §34]