INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL AND STATE NOISE AND EMISSIONS LAWS
Federal and state noise and emissions laws regulate modifications that affect emissions from motor vehicles, including motorcycles. Before purchasing any emissions-related products for use in California, you should carefully review the information provided herein as California law prohibits the installation and use of many aftermarket emissions-related parts on California highways, and authorizes the recovery of substantial fines and penalties against those who violate California emissions laws. Modifications that increase vehicle emissions can be illegal in certain states in addition to California.
- Some exhaust parts on this website are generally not legal for sale, or use in California, unless such parts are installed on vehicles that did not come originally equipped with a catalytic converter OR such parts either have received Executive Order ("EO") from CARB's Executive Officer or are installed on racing vehicles which are never used upon California highways. Do not purchase, sell, install or use any of the exhaust parts on this website in California unless you have determined that one or more of these conditions apply. Customers who reside in California should check with the manufacturers of their vehicles or CARB to determine whether such vehicles came originally equipped with catalytic converters.
- California law generally prohibits the removal of catalytic converters from motorcycles that are used in California.
- In California, it is generally illegal to replace an OEM exhaust part that contains a catalytic converter with an aftermarket part that does not contain a catalytic converter.
- Aftermarket exhaust parts intended for installation on non-catalyst equipped vehicles are generally presumed to be legal for sale, installation and use in California.
- Aftermarket exhaust parts that contain catalytic converters are generally illegal for sale, installation and use unless they have been exempted and certified by CARB's Executive Officer. Lists of exempted products are available on CARB's website and can be accessed via the hyperlinks provided below.
- California's air pollution control requirements do not generally apply to "racing vehicles," which are used in closed course competitions and are never used on California highways.
"Add-on" and "Modified" Parts
California emissions laws prohibit the installation, sale, advertising, and on- and off-highway use of any "add-on" or "modified" emissions-related parts on any pollution-controlled vehicle unless either (a) the part has received an exemption from the Executive Officer ("EO") of the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") or (b) the part is installed on a racing vehicle which is never used upon a highway. See California Vehicle Code §§ 27156 and 38391; see also 13 CCR §§ 2220-2225 ("aftermarket parts" regulations). An "emissions-related part" is defined to mean "any automotive part, which affects any regulated emissions from a motor vehicle which is subject to California or federal emissions standards." 13 CCR § 1900(3). A "modified part" is defined to mean "any aftermarket part intended to replace an original equipment emissions-related part and which is not functionally identical to the original equipment part in all respects which in any way affect emissions, excluding a consolidated part." 13 CCR § 1900(b)(14). An "add-on" part is defined to mean "any aftermarket part which is not a modified part or a replacement part." A "racing vehicle" is defined to mean "a competition vehicle not used on public highways." California Health & Safety Code § 43001.
A "replacement part" is defined to mean "any aftermarket part intended to replace an original equipment emission-related part and which is functionally identical to the original equipment part in all respects which in any way affect emissions." 13 CCR § 1900(b)(20). Replacement parts are presumed to be legal for use on pollution controlled vehicles and do not require CARB exemptions. See 13 CCR § 2221; see also CARB's "Replacement Parts Guidelines – Aftermarket, Performance and Add-On Parts Regulations."
In California, exhaust systems (headers or mufflers) intended for installation on non-catalyst equipped motorcycles are considered by CARB to be "replacement parts" and comply with emissions regulations enforced by CARB, provided that all emission controls originally connected to the exhaust manifold are reconnected to the exhaust system and are functioning properly. Similarly, "slip-on" mufflers are generally legal for use in California as "replacement parts" unless the muffler being replaced contained a catalyst. Before purchasing any exhaust products in this catalog, check with the vehicle manufacturer to determine whether the vehicle came originally equipped with a catalytic converter. Before purchasing any slip-on muffler products in this catalog, check with the vehicle manufacturer to determine whether the OEM muffler contains a catalyst.
CARB Executive Orders
The manufacturers of aftermarket "add-on" and "modified" parts are responsible for obtaining exemptions from CARB. Any "add-on" or "modified" emissions-related parts contained in this catalog that are subject to noise or emissions laws may or may not have been evaluated and/or exempted by CARB or other applicable enforcement agencies.
- For a list of CARB Executive Orders by device (except for catalytic converters), visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php
- See also CARB's webpage on "Automotive Aftermarket Parts." https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/aftermkt.htm#additional
