DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA IDGHWAY PATROL 
PROPOSED TEXT 
TITLE 13, CAL!PORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, DIVJSION 2, CHAPTER 4 
ARTlCLE l 0, SECTIONS 1041 AND 1046 
VEHICLE SOUND MEASUREMENT 
(CHP-R-2019-06211) 
Existing Text: ..................................... Times New Roman 12 point font. 
Additions: ...................................... _. .... Times New Roman 12 point font with single underline. 
Deletions: ........................................... Times New Romaa 12 poiat foat 1Nith strikethrough. 
TITLE 13, CALIFORNIA CODE  OF REGULATJONS 
DIVISION 2, CHAPTER  4 
ARTICLE 10, SECTIONS 1041 AND 1046 ARE AME NDED TO READ: 
§ 1041 . Definitions.
(a)"Exhaust system" means all pipes, converters, and chambers through which the exhaust gas 
flows from the engine exhaust manifold outlet ilang to the end of the tailpipe.
(b)"Microphone line" means an unmarked reference line running parallel to the vehicle path and 
passing through the microphone.
(c)"Microphone target point" means the unmarked location on the center of the lane of travel that 
is the closest to the microphone.
(d) For the put:pose of this article. the terms "sound" and "noise" are synonymous.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 23130, 23130.5,27200, 27207 and 38370, Vehicle Code. 
Reference: Sections 23130, 23130.5,27200-27207 and 38370, Vehicle Code. 
§1046. Measurement Procedures for New Motor Vehicles.
(a) Heavy Trucks. New motor vehicles with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 4,537 kg
(10,000 pounds) subject to 40 CFR, Part 205, shall be tested in accordance with procedures
established in that regulation.
(b)Other Heavy Vehicles. New motor vehicles with a manufacturer's GVWR of more thane 4,537
kg (10,000 poundse that are not subject to 40 CFR, Part 205, except transit buses equipped
Page 1 with automatic transmissions, shall be tested in accordance with SAE J366e, JB.j.y 
+mSeptembcr 2011, which,excluding the Appendix, is hereby incorporated by reference, or 
SAE J2805, May 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Transit buses with a 
manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,537 kg (10,000 pounds) equipped with 
automatic transmissions shall be tested according to SAE J366e, September 2011,except for 
Section 4.+ti of that standard which shall be replaced with the following procedure. 
(1)Face the vehicle in the direction opposite that to be used for the noise test, position the
reference point (Section 3.74.7) at the mid-point of the end zone within 0.3 m (1.0 ft), place
the gear selector in the position normally used for driving, and locate the sta1iinge point for
the noise test as follows:
(A)Accelerate the vehicle as rapidly as possible by establishing and maintaining wide open
throttle until the first transmission shift occurs.
(B)Mark as the designated starting point, the location along the test path where thee
vehicle reference point is passing when the shift occurs.
(2) Perform the noise test by reversing the vehicle direction, positioning the vehicle so it is
at rest with the vehicle reference point at the designated starting point, and operating the
vehicle as follows:e
(A) Accelerate the vehicle as rapidly as possible by establishing wide open throttle.
(B)  Continue acceleration until the entire vehicle has vacated the end zone, recording only
runs in which the first transmission shift occurs in the end zone.
(c)Light Vehicles. New motor vehicles with a manufacturer's GVWR of 4,537 kg (10,000e
pounds) or less shall be tested in accordance with e:i-thef..any of the following methods, at thee
manufacturer's option: SAE J986, November 1981 or SAE J1470, March 1992, August 2018,e
which is hereby incorporated bv reference, except that the provisions of Section fr.!j7 .5 shall note
apply, or SAE J2805, May 2020.
(d) Motorcycles. New motorcycles subject to 40 CFR, Part 205, shall be tested in accordance
with procedures established in that regulation. Other new motorcycles shall be tested in
accordance with SAE J33 la, July -l-m2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
(e) Snowmob iles. New snowmobiles shall be tested in accordance with SAE Jl92, April 1980
March 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference, excluding the sound level tolerances in
Section MQ.J..
Note: Authority cited: Sections 
27200 and 38370, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 27200-
27207 and 38370, Vehicle Code. 
Page2 DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 
NOTICE OF PROPOSED REGULATORY ACTION 
TITLE 13, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, 
DIVISION 2, CHAPTER 4, AMEND ARTICLE l 0, SECTIONS l 041 AND l 046 
Vehicle Sound Measurement 
(CHP-R-2019-06211) 
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) proposes to amend regulations in Title 13, of the 
California Code of Regulations (CCR), Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 10, Section 1041, 
Definitions, which defines and establishes consistency throughout regulations and Section 1046, 
Measurement Procedures for New Motor Vehicles, which adopts the most currently recognized 
Society of Automotive Engineers SAE International standards. 
INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW 
Pursuant to Division 12, Equipment of Vehicles, commencing with Section 27200 of the 
California Vehicle Code (CVC), the CHP shall establish test procedures for new motor vehicle 
noise -emissions, taking into consideration the procedures published by SAE International. The 
currently referenced SAE standards in the CCR have become obsolete and are no longer 
recognized by SAE International. This amendment makes substantive changes to ensure 
California sound-level measurement procedures, for new motor vehicles, align with current SAE 
standards. This amendment will repeal obsolete SAE testing procedures, presently adopted in 
Title 13, CCR, Section l 046, and adopt the most currently recognized SAE standards. This 
amendment removes repealed authority-cited sections and includes a definition for the terms 
"sound" and "noise" in Title 13, CCR, Section 1041. 
Anticipated Benefits of Proposed Regulations: 
This proposed regulatory action will continue to provide a nonmonetary benefit by protecting the 
health, safety, and welfare of California's residents, workers, and environment through 
establishing procedural standards for sound-level measurements to be used by manufacturers of 
new motor vehicles. The changes bring regulations into conformance with current SAE 
standards and clarify terms used within the regulation. 
Evaluation of Inconsistency/Incompatibility with Existing State Regulations: 
The CHP has determined the proposed regulations are neither inconsistent, nor incompatible, 
with existing regulations. After conducting a review for any regulations that would relate to or 
affect this area, the CHP has concluded these are the only regulations that concern vehicle sound 
measurement for new motor vehicles. 
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     PUBLIC COMMENT 
Any interested person may submit written comments on the proposed action via facsimile at 
(916) 322-3154, by electronic mail to cvsregulations@chp.ca.gov, or by writing to: 
California Highway Patrol 
Commercial Vehicle Section 
Attention: Officer Kasonja Pochop 
P.O. Box 942898 
Sacramento, CA 94298-0001 
Written comments must be received by July 18, 2022. 
PUBLIC HEARINGS 
No public hearing has been scheduled. If any person desires a public hearing, 
a written request 
must be received by the CHP, Commercial Vehicle Section (CVS), no later than 15 days prior to 
the close of the written comment period. 
AVAILABILITY OF
 INFORMATION 
The CHP has available for public review an initial statement of reasons for the proposed 
regulatory action, the information upon which this action is based, and the proposed regulations 
text in strikeout and underline format. Requests to review or receive copies of this information 
should be directed to the CHP either at the above address, by facsimile at (916) 322-3154, or by 
calling the CHP, CVS, at (916) 843-3400. All requests for information should include the 
following: the title of the rulemaking package, the requester's name, proper mailing address 
(including city, state, and zip code), and a daytime telephone number in case the information is 
incomplete or illegible. 
The rulemaking file is available for inspection. Interested parties are advised to call CHP, CVS, 
for an appointment. Additionally, documents regarding the proposed action are available 
through the CHP's Web site at https://www.chp.ca.gov/News-Alerts/Regulatory-Actions. Any 
person desiring to obtain a copy of the adopted text and a final statement of reasons may request 
them at the above-noted address. Copies will also be posted on the CHP Web site. 
NOTE: The SAE standards to be incorporated by reference may only be viewed by 
appointment, due to copyright restrictions, at CHP Headquarters from Monday through Friday, 
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5 :00 p.m., except for state holidays. 
Page2 CONTACT PERSON 
Any inquiries concerning the written materials pertaining to the proposed regulations or the 
substance of the proposed regulations should be directed to Sergeant David Kelly or Officer 
KasonjaPochop, at (916) 843-3400. 
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS 
After consideration of public comments, the CHP may adopt the proposal substantially as set 
forth without further notice. If the proposal is modified prior to adoption and the change is not 
solely grammatical or substantive in nature, the full text of the resulting regulations, with the 
changes clearly indicated, will be made available to the public for at least 15 days prior to the 
date of adoption. 
FISCAL DISCLOSURES AND RESULTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS 
The CHP has made an initial determination this proposed regulatory action: (1) will have no 
effect on housing costs; (2) will not impose any new mandate upon local agencies or school 
districts; (3) will involve no nondiscretionary cost or savings to any local agency, no cost to any 
local agency or school district for which Government Code (GC) Sections 17500-17630 require 
reimbursement, no cost or savings to any state agency, nor cost or savings in federal funding to 
the state; ( 4) will neither create nor eliminate jobs in the State of California, nor result in the 
elimination of existing businesses or create or expand businesses in the State of California; and 
(5) will not have a significant statewide adverse economic impact directly affecting businesses, 
including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states. 
Benefits of the Proposed Action: The proposed regulations update sound-level measurement 
testing procedures for new motor vehicles, and will continue to provide benefits, including the 
nonmonetary benefit of protecting public health and safety for residents, workers, and the 
environment, by providing a regulatory basis for new motor vehicle registration requirements. 
The regulated community is encouraged to respond during the comment period of this regulatory 
process if significant impacts are identified. 
COST IMPACTS ON REPRESENTATIVE PRIVATE PERSONS OR BUSIN ESSES 
The CHP is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would 
necessarily incur in reasonable compliance with the proposed action. 
Page 3 EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESSES 
The CHP has determined the proposed regulatory action will not have an effect on small 
businesses. The action is intended to clarify and update the testing procedures for sound-level 
measurements of new motor vehicles which are to be registered in California. 
CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES 
In accordance with Section l 1346.5(a)(13) GC, the CHP must determine no reasonable 
alternative considered by the CHP, or otherwise identified and brought to the attention of the 
CHP, would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the action is proposed, 
would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons than the proposed action, 
or would be more cost-effective to affected private persons and equally effective in 
implementing the statutory policy or other provision oflaw. The CHP invites interested parties 
to present statements or arguments with respect to alternatives to the proposed regulations during 
the written comment period. 
AUTHORITY 
This regulatory action is being taken pursuant to Sections 27200 and 38370 CVC. 
REFERENCE 
This action implements, interprets, or makes specific interpretations of Sections 27200 and 
38370 CVC as mandated by the statute. 
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