Oregon Code § 815.230·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Violation of sound equipment requirements; exemptions; penalty.
(1) A person commits the offense
of violation of vehicle sound equipment requirements if the person drives or
moves on any highway or owns and causes or knowingly permits to be driven on
any highway any vehicle that violates any of the following equipment
provisions:
(a) A motor
vehicle must be equipped with a horn in good working order, capable of emitting
sounds audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200
feet.
(b) No vehicle
shall be equipped with any bell, siren, compression or exhaust whistle.
(2) This section
is subject to the exemptions under this subsection in addition to any
exemptions under ORS 801.026. The exemptions under this subsection are partial
or complete as described in the following:
(a) Authorized
emergency vehicles are subject to sound equipment requirements and limitations
as provided in ORS 820.370 and 820.380.
(b) Vehicles of
special interest that are registered under ORS 805.020 are not subject to this
section if the vehicles are:
(A) Equipped with
original manufacturers equipment and accessories, or their equivalent, and are
maintained in safe operating condition; or
(B) Street rods
that conform to ORS 815.107.
(c) Bicycles are
subject to requirements and limitations on sound equipment as provided under
ORS 815.280.
(d) Antique
vehicles are not subject to the requirements if the vehicles are maintained as
collectors items and used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and
similar uses, but not used primarily for the transportation of persons or
property.
(e) The
requirements do not apply to road machinery, road rollers and farm tractors.
(f) Electric
personal assistive mobility devices are subject to requirements and limitations
on sound equipment as provided under ORS 815.284.
(3) The offense
described in this section, violation of vehicle sound equipment requirements,
is a Class C traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §492; 1985 c.16 §256; 1997 c.402 §14;
2003 c.341 §16]
(Sound System
Amplification)
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Violation of sound equipment requirements; exemptions; penalty. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 815.230
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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