Hawaii: Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Hawaii's vehicle inspection rules bar air horns on small vehicles, so a car with a train horn cannot pass safety inspection.
Hawaii requires periodic safety inspections. A state rule says no inspection certificate may be issued if sirens, bells, or other excessively loud warning devices, 'such as air horns (on small vehicles),' are installed, except on emergency vehicles. The rule does not define 'small vehicles,' but a passenger car or pickup is the plain case. County ordinances, such as Honolulu's, add their own horn rules.
Conditions
- Vehicle must pass periodic safety inspection
- Horn must work and be audible
What the law says
No certificate of inspection shall be issued if any of the following occurs: ... (3) Sirens, bells and other excessively loud warning devices, such as air horns (on small vehicles) are installed, except on emergency vehicles.
Sources
- Haw. Code R. § 19-133.2-33 (Inspection of horns) Mirror of official text · law.cornell.edu
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Hawaii Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Safety Office
- Phone
- (808) 692-7651
- Website
- hidot.hawaii.gov
How bordering states compare
Hawaii doesn't share a land border with another state.