Brief Description: Modifying vehicle equipment standards related to original equipment installed.

Sponsors: By Representatives Lovick, Kessler, P. Sullivan, Haler and O'Brien; by request of Washington State Patrol.

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

All required lights and equipment on a vehicle must be in proper condition and adjustment as required by state law or rules issued by the Washington State Patrol.

Brake Lights
Vehicles must have two or more stop lamps (brake lights). Federal law requires a third rear, high-centered brake light for passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1985, and for trucks, vans, and sports utility vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1993.

Exhaust Systems
Vehicles must be equipped with a muffler in good working order to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Exhaust systems may not be modified in a manner which amplifies engine noise above the noise emitted with the originally-installed muffler. It is unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle with exhaust noise exceeding 95 decibels. To prove a violation, proper authorities must show that an exhaust system modification results in noise amplification in excess of 95 decibels.

Summary:

Clarifications are made to the requirement that all required lights and equipment on a vehicle must be in proper working condition.

Brake Lights
All passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1985, and all passenger trucks, vans, and sports utility vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1993, must have a third stop lamp (brake light). The brake light must be a rear, center high-mounted light that meets certain visibility requirements, consistent with federal regulation.

Exhaust Systems
The prohibition against operating a motor vehicle with an exhaust system that emits a noise exceeding 95 decibels is removed. Language stating that a violation does not occur unless the proper authority proves that a vehicle's modified exhaust system exceeds 95 decibels is also removed. (Other vehicle exhaust system requirements are retained.)

Votes on Final Passage:

House   98   0
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006