In response to multiple inquiries regarding what constraints exist and what options are available to report excessive road noise, we have received the following response from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The current standards related to noise levels for new vehicles are set by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2019 (the Act). The Act requires all road vehicles to comply with the relevant Australian Design Rules (ADR) at the time of manufacture and supply to the Australian market.

If a registered or in-service vehicle has its exhaust system modified or exchanged, the system must remain compliant to the noise standard as required by the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2010. Vehicle owners whose vehicles are modified contrary to these requirements are liable for prosecution.

There are number of offences and penalties that may apply for vehicles making excessive noise. The maximum penalty is $2669.00 for:

  • modifying a light motor vehicle’s silencing device if the modification reduces, or is likely to reduce, the effectiveness of the device.
  • driving a light motor vehicle on a road if the vehicle’s silencing device has been modified to reduce, or to be likely to reduce, the effectiveness of the device.

Both Queensland Police Service (QPS) Officers and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Transport Inspectors undertake compliance and enforcement activities throughout Queensland and respond to noise issues on a regular basis.

As with speeding offences, it is not possible to detect and enforce every breach of the law as when it is happening. However, ongoing and targeted enforcement is undertaken to reduce the impact of excessive vehicle noise on the community and the environment. In addition, members of the public may register concerns about non-complying vehicles, including excessive noise by ringing QPS Policelink on 131 444 or by visiting https://www.police.qld.gov.au/units/policelink-131-444