New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S4638: Motor vehicle muffler & exhaust sys-proh modification to produce audible sounds
Status: In committee, October 1, 2026
Prohibits modification of mufflers and exhaust systems to produce audible sounds; increases penalties for violations.
What the bill says
An Act concerning motor vehicle muffler and exhaust systems and amending R.S.39:3-69 and R.S.39:3-70.
From the introduced text, October 1, 2026:
An Act concerning motor vehicle muffler and exhaust systems and amending R.S.39:3-69 and R.S.39:3-70. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. R.S.39:3-69 is amended to read as follows: 39:3-69. [ADDED: a.] Every motor vehicle except a motor-drawn vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway. [ADDED: b.] No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle or bell except as otherwise permitted in this section. It is permissible but not required that any vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. Any emergency vehicle authorized by the commission may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not …
Sponsors
- James W. Holzapfel (R, 10) · primary sponsor
- Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. (D, 18)
Latest actions
- : INT 1RS REF STR
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES - REGULATION, MOTOR VEHICLES - OFFENSES
Common questions
- What is S4638?
- S4638 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Motor vehicle muffler & exhaust sys-proh modification to produce audible sounds.
- What does S4638 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning motor vehicle muffler and exhaust systems and amending R.S.39:3-69 and R.S.39:3-70.
- What is the status of S4638?
- In committee as of October 1, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RS REF STR (October 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored S4638?
- James W. Holzapfel (R, 10), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for S4638?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S4638
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.