Can you get a ticket for playing loud music in your car? Here’s what Georgia law says
There’s nothing like blasting the song of the summer with the windows down and the wind in your hair, right?
Turning up the car radio or streaming your favorite tunes can make your drive all the better — but how loud is too loud?
Can you be ticketed?
Here’s what Georgia law says about playing loud music in your car:
How loud can you play music while driving in Georgia?
You can jam, but don’t get too carried away, Georgia law says.
It’s unlawful for drivers on any street or highway to have their radio turned up so loud “that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more” from the car, according to state Code 40-6-14.
Such violations are a misdemeanor, though the rules vary from city to city.
There are no laws on the books in Macon and Columbus that specifically address sound volume in cars, though there are general rules prohibiting “unreasonably loud” noises during certain hours.
In Atlanta, playing sounds that are audible “at a distance of 300 feet or more from a building, structure or vehicle” between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, or between 7 a.m. and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays is unlawful, according to the city’s municipal code.
What are the penalties?
Playing loud music from your car could result in a ticket — and points on your license, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
There’s a three-point penalty for volume violations, and drivers who add 15 points in a two-year period will have their license suspended, the department said.
Fines can vary from city to city, but police typically let you off with a warning on the first offense.
What are the exceptions?
Under Georgia law, volume limits in cars do not apply to:
- Law enforcement and emergency vehicles
- Vehicles used for business or political purposes
- Car horns or other warning devices