Motor vehicles with trailers: permissible sound level

The aim of this directive is to implement European Union regulations relating to vehicle noise based on complete harmonisation.

ACT

Council Directive 70/157/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles [Official Journal L 42 of 23.02.1970].

SUMMARY

The Directives apply to any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, with the exception of vehicles that run on rails, agricultural and forestry tractors and all mobile machinery.

The Directives lay down limits for the noise level of the mechanical parts and exhaust systems of the vehicles concerned. The limits range from 74 dB(A) for motor cars to 80 dB(A) for high-powered goods vehicles.

Permissible values are drawn up for specific categories of vehicles:

• cars;
• public transport vehicles;
• goods vehicles.

Member States are required to publish noise level values for type-approval by 1 October 1994.

Hence Member States may not, for reasons relating to the permissible sound level and exhaust system:

• refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, placing on the market or use of vehicles which comply with the provisions of the Directive;
• prohibit the placing on the market of an exhaust system or technical unit if they correspond to a type in respect of which type-approval has been granted.

Tax incentives granted by Member States to encourage new limits to be met in advance may be authorised if they are:

• non-discriminatory;
• for a limited period;
• of an amount which is significantly lower than the cost of the equipment fitted;
• applied to vehicles fitted with equipment which enables future European standards to be met in advance.

Type-approval procedure for each type of vehicle, exhaust system and technical unit (silencer and replacement exhaust system):

• the application for EEC type-approval shall be submitted by the manufacturer or his authorized representative;
• it shall contain the information required by the existing Directives;
• different type-approval tests shall be provided for;
• where the type of vehicle, exhaust system or technical unit meets the test requirements, an EEC type-approval certificate shall be issued by the competent authority of the Member State in question.

This Directive has been repealed by Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 with effect from 30.6.2027.

RELATED ACT

Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC [Official Journal L 158 of 27.5.2014].

Last updated: 02.07.2014