California Motor Vehicle Pollution Laws

August 5, 2007

In California, motor vehicle air pollution laws are in the California Code of Regulations (CCR).  It says any street motorcycle with a 49cc or under engine is exempt from California Exhaust Emission Standards.

 

13 CCR § 1958 Exhaust Emissions – Motorcycles

Cal. Admin. Code tit. 13, § 1958

Barclays Official California Code of Regulations Currentness

Title 13. Motor Vehicles

Division 3. Air Resources Board

Chapter 1. Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices

Article 2. Approval of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices (New Vehicles) (Refs & Annos)
§ 1958. Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures – Motorcycles and Motorcycle Engines Manufactured on or After January 1, 1978.

(a) This section shall be applicable to motorcycles, motorcycle engines, and the manufacturers of either motorcycles or motorcycle engines produced on or after January 1, 1978. Motorcycles and motorcycle engines are excluded from the requirements of this section if:

(1) The engine displacement is less than 50 cubic centimeters, or

(2) An 80 kilogram (176 pound) driver cannot

(A) start from a dead stop using only the engine, or

(B) exceed a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour (24.9 miles per hour) on a level paved surface.

(b) Exhaust emissions from new street-use motorcycles and motorcycle engines, subject to registration and sold and registered in this state, shall not exceed:

Table of Standards

  Engine Exhaust Emission Standards (g/km)  
Model-Year Displacement Hydrocarbon (HC) Carbon
  (in cubic centimeters) + Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) Monoxide
================ =================== ============================ ========
1978 through 1979 50 to less than 170 5.0 (HC only) 17
  170 to less than 750 5.0+0.0155(D-170)  (HC only) 17
  750 or greater 14 (HC only) 17
1980 through 1981 All (50 cc or larger) 5.0 (HC only) 17
1982 and later 50 cc to 279 cc 1.0 (HC only) 12
1982 – 2/28/1985 280cc or greater 2.5 (HC only) 12
3/1/1985 – 1987 280cc or greater 1.4 (HC only), as a corp. avg. 12
1988 through 2003 280cc to 699cc 1.0 (HC only), as a corp. avg. 12
1988 through 2003 700cc or greater 1.4 (HC only), as a corp. avg. 12
2004 through 2007 280cc or greater 1.4 (HC+NOx), as a corp avg 12
2008 and later 280cc or greater 0.8 (HC+NOx), as a corp avg 12

Find out more about the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Laws »