Calgary is a step closer to trying out a new device to crack down on excessively noisy vehicles, but one alderman has put the brakes on starting that testing right away.

The city wants to set 96 decibels as the level at which vehicles are too loud.

A private company is donating a device — called a NoiseSnare — which the city will test for several months to see if it can help police noise levels.

Ald. John Mar said he's hoping relief from noisy vehicle is just around the corner.

"This is something that Calgarians absolutely are supportive of and want and we're going to move forward with this, using this new technology," he said.

While council voted 10 to 3 on Monday to approve testing the NoiseSnare, the measure needed unanimous consent to start immediately.

Ald. Andre Chabot refused that consent, saying he's still unconvinced any tickets written based on the NoiseSnare will stand up in court.

"I believe that if we do pass a bylaw that's unenforceable and it gets challenged in the courts, it'll get overturned and we will have done all of this work for nothing," he said.

No motorcycle, car or truck is louder than 96 decibels without having been modified to make extra noise, according to Mar.

The matter will be back before city council in two weeks. If the idea gets approval then, testing would begin this summer.