Rhode Island: Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Rhode Island has no express train-horn ban, but no horn may make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
Rhode Island requires a horn audible from 200 feet but bars any horn or warning device from emitting an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, a limit a typical train horn likely fails. A separate section bans sirens, whistles and bells except where the law allows them, such as on emergency vehicles. Drivers may sound a horn only when reasonably needed for safety. Violations carry fines.
Conditions
- Horn may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle
- No siren, whistle or bell except as the law permits
- Horn use only when reasonably necessary for safe operation
What the law says
Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet (200′). However, no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. ... No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as permitted in §§ 31-23-9, 31-23-11 and 31-23-12.
Sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-8 Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-10 Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Rhode Island State Police
- Phone
- (401) 444-1000
- Website
- risp.ri.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Allowed with limitsConnecticut has no train horn ban, but no horn may make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
- Massachusetts Allowed with limitsMassachusetts has no train horn ban, but sounding any horn to make a harsh, objectionable or unreasonable noise is illegal.
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