Can you modify your car horn?
Those of us who were around in the 1970s will recall hearing the strains of La Cucaracha blasting from the horns of muscle cars.
The drivers of hotted-up Holdens, Falcons and Valiants would announce their arrival by playing the intro to a tune that recounts the struggles of a Mexican cockroach.
But is it legal to change a car’s factory-fitted horn? According to Australian Vehicle Standards Rules, a vehicle must not be fitted with a device that sounds like a siren, bell, exhaust whistle, compression whistle or repeater horn.
The last item on this list will likely throw a damper on any Mariachi-themed motoring. A repeater horn is a device that makes a sound alternating between different tones or frequencies on a regular time cycle. Put more succinctly by the South Australian Government’s mylicence website, “musical warning devices are not permitted.”
When it comes to sirens, bells and whistles, there are, of course, exemptions for police and emergency vehicles.
Exemptions also apply to former police and emergency vehicles more than 25 years old that are used only for exhibition purposes, or are part of a collection of similar vehicles. Car alarms that can only be operated while the vehicle’s ignition is off, and reversing alarms that emit a regular, intermittent sound are also fine.
A horn can only be sounded to warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of the vehicle, and as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol interlock device, fitted to the vehicle.
Do you have a road rules question?
RAA’s road rules experts can help. Send us an email or speak to the Road Rules Information Service on 8202 4570.