Costa Rica approves stricter regulations for noise control from vehicles

Costa Rica’s roads may be a bit quieter in the future. A new law outlining stricter noise control regulations for vehicles will take effect in late October.

Executive decree Nº 38937-MOPT, which was published last week in the official newspaper La Gaceta, sets new, lower limits on the volume of noise pollution different vehicles are allowed to emit. The existing regulation dates back to 1993.

The fine for surpassing noise limits is ₡21,964 ($40), according to the country’s Traffic Law.

The Traffic Administration is currently in the process of buying more sound level meters. Currently traffic police only have 23 of these devices for all seven provinces, but the administration hopes to at least double that number. Each meter costs around $7,000.

The new law also establishes specific protocols and procedures for testing noise emissions in car exhaust systems, either on the road or at the mandatory technical vehicle inspection (RITEVE) stations.