Noise cameras are already catching drivers on UK roads - and more councils are rolling them out. Here's what you need to know about the rules, the fines,and what it means if you're dealing with a noisy car exhaust yourself.
Key takeaways
- Noise cameras use microphones and ANPR technology to catch and identify drivers who exceed noise limits.
- The legal noise limit for new cars is 70 decibels, dropping to 68 decibels for vehicles type-approved from 2026.
- If you're caught with a noisy exhaust, you could face an on-the-spot £50 fine or have your car taken off the road.
- Modifying your car with a loud exhaust could also push up your car insurance premium or even void your policy.
- Electric cars must emit an artificial sound of at least 40 decibels so pedestrians can hear them approaching.
What is a noise camera?
Noise cameras are like speed cameras, but for sound. They use special microphones to catch vehicles making too much noise. Then, they use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) - the same tech as speed cameras - to identify the vehicle and its owner.
Since 2021, councils across the UK have been testing these cameras. Kensington and Chelsea were first to issue fines for noisy vehicles caught on camera. The Department for Transport (DfT) has also run trials in Bradford, Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Birmingham.
One noise camera in Westminster clocked a car hitting 111.1 decibels - that noise is comparative to being as loud as a steel mill or a rock concert!
The government has put £300,000 into these trials. Other countries, like the United Arab Emirates and Canada, tested similar schemes before the UK started its rollout.
Why is the government introducing noise cameras?
The government brought in noise cameras to stop loud vehicles revving their engines. This problem is especially noticeable in rural and residential areas.
These cameras also help police gather evidence. Officers can already fine noisy drivers, but it's tough to prove without solid proof. Most reports come from witnesses, which makes it hard to issue fines. Cameras fix that.
There are also health reasons behind this crackdown. The Department for Transport (DfT) points to research showing that noise pollution can lead to health issues like:
- Heart attacks
- High blood pressure
- Stress
- Type-2 diabetes
When the trials were first expanded, then-Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
"For too long, rowdy drivers have been able to get away with disturbing our communities with illegal noisy vehicles. It's time we clamp down on this nuisance, banish the boy racer and restore peace and quiet to local streets."
What happens if a driver has a loud car exhaust in the UK?
Driving a noisy car? You could face an on-the-spot £50 fine. Police can also order your vehicle off the road until the noise is sorted.
First time? You'll usually get a warning letter. But if the noise isn't fixed, or you keep driving a loud car, a postal fine could be next.
Do noise cameras work?
Yes, they do. Just ask Kensington and Chelsea. They couldn't join the official noise camera scheme, so they started their own pilot after 35 complaints about noisy engines between June and August 2020.
Councillors knew Chelsea's Sloane Street was a hotspot for flashy Lamborghinis and Ferraris, where drivers loved to rev their engines. The council had even brought in rules that let officers fine drivers for excessive vehicle noise.
Between June 2021 and February 2022, nearly 10,000 vehicles set off the camera. BMWs were the top offenders. Fines range from £100 to £2,500, and if you're a repeat offender, the council can even seize your car.
The pilot was a success, so now the scheme is expanding across the borough.
What is the exhaust noise limit?
New cars must meet a type-approval noise limit of 70 decibels - roughly as loud as a busy restaurant. That limit is set to tighten further, dropping to 68 decibels for vehicles type-approved from 2026 onwards.
Before noise cameras, police officers had to use their own judgement to decide whether a car was breaking the limit, making it difficult to enforce consistently.
The London scheme took a different approach, calibrating its cameras to detect vehicles generating 80 decibels or more - about as loud as an alarm clock.
This is similar to the tolerance built into speed cameras, which don't trigger at the exact limit.
How can I report a loud car exhaust?
If you want to make a loud car exhaust complaint in the UK, your best options are to call 101 or report it to your local council.
Alternatively, if it’s a neighbour’s loud car that is causing the nuisance, you might want to try and resolve the neighbour dispute amicably yourself.
Does having a loud exhaust impact on car insurance?
Modifying your car, especially with a loud exhaust, can hit your wallet harder than you think. Not only could you get caught by noise cameras, but your car insurance might jump too.
In fact, drivers with 2 modifications pay £1,391.39* on average for their yearly comprehensive car insurance.
The consequences can be even worse. If you make major changes without telling your insurer, your policy could be void. That means you're not insured at all.
What our motor insurance expert says
"Thinking of changing your car's exhaust? Even small tweaks can cause big problems. If your car ends up noisier than its original factory standard, you're breaking the law. And you could face a £50 fine.
Worse still, if you change your car significantly without telling your insurer, your policy could be cancelled. That means you won't be covered at all - a much bigger risk than any fine.
Most insurers need you to declare modifications quickly. So, talk to your insurer before you get any work done. That way, you'll know if your premium will change, and you'll be sure you're properly covered."
How loud are electric cars compared to petrol and diesel cars?
Loud exhausts are one problem, but what about a car that’s too quiet? Electric vehicles (EVs) make almost no noise compared to petrol or diesel cars.
This silence can be dangerous. Pedestrians might not hear an EV approaching, putting them at risk when crossing the road. People who are visually impaired also face a higher risk if they can't hear these quiet cars.
That’s why regulations require EVs to make an artificial sound. This sound must be at least 40 decibels - about as loud as a humming fridge - so pedestrians can hear them.
Some car manufacturers have used this as an excuse to get creative. BMW hired Hans Zimmer to compose the sounds for its Vision M Next.
The good news is this isn't enough of a noise to be a nuisance. So hopefully EVs continue to improve the quality of our environment by reducing noise and emissions.
*Confused.com data. The average comprehensive insurance policy for drivers with 2 modifications. January-July 2026.
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