Oregon: Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Oregon has no express train-horn ban, but unreasonably loud or harsh horn sounds are illegal, and bells, sirens and certain whistles are banned.
Oregon requires a horn audible from 200 feet and bans equipping a vehicle with any bell, siren, or compression or exhaust whistle. A separate rule makes it a traffic violation to use a horn except as a reasonable warning, or to make an unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound with a horn or other warning device, which sounding a typical train horn likely is. Antique vehicles used for shows and parades are exempt from the equipment rules. Both offenses are Class C traffic violations.
Conditions
- No unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh horn sounds
- No bell, siren, or compression or exhaust whistle on non-emergency vehicles
What the law says
No vehicle shall be equipped with any bell, siren, compression or exhaust whistle. ... Uses a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning ... makes any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device.
Sources
- ORS 815.225 and 815.230 (2025 edition) Official · oregonlegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV)
- Phone
- 503-945-5000
- Website
- oregon.gov
How bordering states compare
- California Allowed with limitsCalifornia has no train horn ban, but no horn may make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.
- Idaho Allowed with limitsIdaho bans horns that make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a typical train horn likely fails.
- Nevada Allowed with limitsNevada bars any horn from making an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a train horn likely breaks.
- Washington Allowed with limitsWashington says no horn may make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, and bans sirens, whistles and bells on ordinary vehicles.