I moved to VA about 2 years ago and didnt realize how anal virginia law was about mods until I bought my Mustang. I wanted to put flowmasters on it and was promptly told by the muffler shop that they were more than willing to do the job for me, but I should know that it was illegal in the state of virginia. Even haveing a hanging air fresheneris a no no. Anyone else run into this problem?
Haven't heard anything about changing mufflers out being illegal...I do know that messing with the cats is. I've heard the air fresheners are a no no and you're not supposed to have banners across the top of your windshield either. I'd agree they are pretty anal here.
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07 GT Prem Vert, Vista Blue, Charcoal Int w/ Satin Alum Trim, Manual, 3:55's, 18" Polished Wheels Mods, Appearance: MRT two-tone light bar, Midwest Auto mirror covers and radiator cover extensions, Billet E-brake handle, cupholder trim, map light accent, door locks, door lock grommets, door sill accent plate bars, & mirror control kit, Roush spoiler, shift knob & floormats, Custom painted plenum and fuse box covers Performance: JLT II CAI w/ SCT XCAL2 93 tune, GTA's
07 GT. Exterior mods n/a. Engine mods, see profile.
One of the more powerful cars around.
One of the slower cars around.
Makes me feel like a kid every time.
Heres one for ya. You are not required by Va law to have mufflers, but they will give you a ticket for not having them. We have alot of stupid laws here.
From the state website:
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise; provided however, that for motor vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
Any distortion or obstruction that interferes with a driver's vision.
Any alteration has been made to a vehicle that obstructs the driver's clear view through the windshield. This may include but is not limited to large objects hanging from the inside mirror, CB radios or tachometers on the dash, hood scoops and other ornamentation on or in front of the hood that is not transparent.
And the sticker on the windshield verbage is too long to put in here....sorta
Heres one for ya. You are not required by Va law to have mufflers, but they will give you a ticket for not having them. We have alot of stupid laws here.
Not really true, read above and pay particular attention to "shall be of a type installed as standard factory equipment"
Hmm, I ran my '05 from November 06 to Jan 07 with SLPs, than ran a Off-road H w/ Flowmasters after that. I got pulled over once in Manassas for chirping 2nd, but the guy let me go.
well i've lived in NC and SC, and SC laws are so much more slack... but no hanging air fresheners?!?! i've never heard of something quite that whack... hmmm
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grimmreaper1221
2007 4.0L V6 Mustang
5-spd manual
Vista Blue Metallic
K&N air filter
Rear Black-Out Panel
well i've lived in NC and SC, and SC laws are so much more slack... but no hanging air fresheners?!?! i've never heard of something quite that whack... hmmm
It's not an air freshener they are concerned with. It is ANY object that hangs in the way of the driver's vision area that they spell out in the statute.
It was probably derived from someone that ran over someone or something because the plethura of "stuff" hanging from the rear view. Probably a mobile made up of dream catchers and CDs.......along with airfresheners.
Is it a little extreme, sure. But, it cuts through the bull-hockey of what is allowed, and what isn't. Keep it simple, allow nothing there.
I've always been amused by people who hang dream catchers in their cars. That strikes me as a bit of an oxymoron.
As for the exhaust systems, they don't seem to be enforcing those laws to strictly unless there's excessive noise. Otherwise, every fart can on the road would be suddenly, and thankfully, silenced. It did give me a bit of heartburn because I wanted to put dual exhaust on my F-150 and was told it wasn't allowed because the truck never came with dual exhaust. So, when funds allow, or the muffler falls off, I'm going to put in a new Flowmaster exhaust - single in, dual out.
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'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
I can tell you guys, (Being that I am a Police Officer in Virginia) that I dont agree with all of the laws either. I have 2 Mustangs, and enjoy modding them and chirping in 2nd just as much as every other red-blooded american Mustang owner. I generally ignore these petty laws like the "dangling object from rear view mirror" and after market exhaust crap. Here are the things to remember, and that may help you out. 1.) The laws are there and you nor I can change them. 2.) Cops are human like everyone else, and not all of them are cool like me! Yes there are some out there that are dicks and just get a kick out of being that way...but not all of them. 3.) Don't be stupid about what you are doing. If you are leaving 2 inch thick trails of rubber for 60 feet on Main St. at 3 O'clock in the afternoon, thats just asking for trouble, especially if a cop sees it, and other people see that the cop sees it, that officer may feel like his hand is being forced to do something. I have never pulled a person over for having loud pipes or a bad ass modded, tricked out ride. Only if he/she is being retarded about it. Just things to think about.
I can tell you guys, (Being that I am a Police Officer in Virginia) that I dont agree with all of the laws either. I have 2 Mustangs, and enjoy modding them and chirping in 2nd just as much as every other red-blooded american Mustang owner. I generally ignore these petty laws like the "dangling object from rear view mirror" and after market exhaust crap. Here are the things to remember, and that may help you out. 1.) The laws are there and you nor I can change them. 2.) Cops are human like everyone else, and not all of them are cool like me! Yes there are some out there that are dicks and just get a kick out of being that way...but not all of them. 3.) Don't be stupid about what you are doing. If you are leaving 2 inch thick trails of rubber for 60 feet on Main St. at 3 O'clock in the afternoon, thats just asking for trouble, especially if a cop sees it, and other people see that the cop sees it, that officer may feel like his hand is being forced to do something. I have never pulled a person over for having loud pipes or a bad ass modded, tricked out ride. Only if he/she is being retarded about it. Just things to think about.
We need more cops like you!
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07 GT Prem Vert, Vista Blue, Charcoal Int w/ Satin Alum Trim, Manual, 3:55's, 18" Polished Wheels Mods, Appearance: MRT two-tone light bar, Midwest Auto mirror covers and radiator cover extensions, Billet E-brake handle, cupholder trim, map light accent, door locks, door lock grommets, door sill accent plate bars, & mirror control kit, Roush spoiler, shift knob & floormats, Custom painted plenum and fuse box covers Performance: JLT II CAI w/ SCT XCAL2 93 tune, GTA's
well guys, like anywhere it depends on where you go. I've had a set of snowboard goggles hanging on my rear view mirror for the last 5 years and they have never said anything about it to me at an inspection. those guys at the muffler shop are telling you that the law states that you cant have anything but stock mufflers but the majority of inspection stations don't care.
Edit: sorry i live in Alexandria, VA
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1967 Mustang Coupe
L6 / 3.3L / 204CI - boiled, bored 0.040, master rebuild kit (complete)
Getting new rear frame rails and trunk pan
Front frame rails, floor pan, and firewall (complete)
It did give me a bit of heartburn because I wanted to put dual exhaust on my F-150 and was told it wasn't allowed because the truck never came with dual exhaust. So, when funds allow, or the muffler falls off, I'm going to put in a new Flowmaster exhaust - single in, dual out.
I plan on putting a badass exhaust on my Dodge truck and I'm going to keep the original exhaust for "inspection" purposes only. Just an idea
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1967 Mustang Coupe
L6 / 3.3L / 204CI - boiled, bored 0.040, master rebuild kit (complete)
Getting new rear frame rails and trunk pan
Front frame rails, floor pan, and firewall (complete)
I moved to VA about 2 years ago and didnt realize how anal virginia law was about mods until I bought my Mustang. I wanted to put flowmasters on it and was promptly told by the muffler shop that they were more than willing to do the job for me, but I should know that it was illegal in the state of virginia. Even haveing a hanging air fresheneris a no no. Anyone else run into this problem?
I also am a police officer in Virginia. You can put the Flowmasters. The only problem is how loud are they going to be. I am also looking at Flowmasters to put on my GT500 I just picked up. As long as there not too loudand they have a muffler and a cadi converter you should be ok. But I wouldn't mess with you any way. I love a sweet sounding car.
VA is really starting to get annoying 
12.942 @ 113.88 MPH w/ a 2.139 60' time?
(1 of 113)
Yes there are some out there that are dicks and just get a kick out of being that way...but not all of them. 3.) Don't be stupid about what you are doing. If you are leaving 2 inch thick trails of rubber for 60 feet on Main St. at 3 O'clock in the afternoon, thats just asking for trouble, especially if a cop sees it, and other people see that the cop sees it, that officer may feel like his hand is being forced to do something. I have never pulled a person over for having loud pipes or a bad ass modded, tricked out ride. Only if he/she is being retarded about it. Just things to think about.
