DOT HS 811 439 February 2011

Quick Reference Guide 

(2010 Version) to

Federal Motor Vehicle 

Safety Standards and 

Regulations
DISCLAIMER

This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway 

Traffic Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings, 

and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those 

of the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade names, 

manufacturers’ names, or specific products are mentioned, it is because they are considered essential 

to the object of the publication and should not be construed as an endorsement. The United States 

Government does not endorse products or manufacturers.
i

Quick Reference Guide (2010 Version) To 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations 

Table of Contents Page 

Foreword ..................................................................................................................................... ii 

Title 49: Chapter V, Part 571, Subpart B—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 

No. 101 through No. 500 ............................................................................................................. 1 

Title 49: Chapter V—Other Regulations Relating To Transportation, 

Part 523 through Part 595 ............................................................................................................ 4 

Summary Description of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: ..................................... 7 

Standard No. 101 through Standard No. 139 ......................................................................... 7 

Standard No. 201 through Standard No. 226 ....................................................................... 13 

Standard No. 301 through Standard No. 500 ....................................................................... 17 

Summary Description of Other Regulations Relating To Transportation: ................................ 20 

Parts 523; 525; 526; 529; 531; 533; 534; 536; 537; 538; 541; 542; 543; 544; 545; 

551; 552; 553; 554; 555; 556; 557; 563; 564; 565; 566; 567; 568; 569; 570; 571; 

572; 573; 574; 575; 576; 577; 578; 579; 580; 581; 582; 583; 585; 587; 588; 591; 

592; 593; 594; 595 

Procedures for Declaring and Certifying Imported Motor Vehicles ......................................... 36 

How to Obtain Copies of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations ......... 36 

 
ii

Foreword 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a legislative mandate under 

Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety, to issue Federal Motor 

Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Regulations to which manufacturers of motor vehicles 

and items of motor vehicle equipment must conform and certify compliance. FMVSS No. 209, 

Seat Belt Assemblies, was the first standard to become effective, on March 1, 1967. A number of 

FMVSS became effective for vehicles manufactured on and after January 1, 1968. Subsequently, 

other FMVSS have been issued. New standards and amendments to existing standards are 

published in the Federal Register. 

These FMVSS are regulations written in terms of minimum safety performance requirements for 

motor vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment. These requirements are specified in such a 

manner that the public is protected against unreasonable risk of crashes occurring as a result of 

the design, construction, or performance of motor vehicles and is also protected against 

unreasonable risk of death or injury in the event crashes do occur. 

This booklet lists the FMVSSs that were in effect as of October 2010, and gives a brief summary 

of each safety standard. It also provides similar information on other Federal consumer 

information regulations and requirements.
Title 49: Chapter V, Part 571, Subpart B—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 

No. 101 through No. 500 

Standard No. 101: Controls and Displays 

Standard No. 102: Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and 

Transmission Braking Effect 

Standard No. 103: Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems 

Standard No. 104: Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems 

Standard No. 105: Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems 

Standard No. 106: Brake Hoses 

Standard No. 107: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 108: Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment 

Standard No. 109: New Pneumatic Bias Ply and Certain Specialty Tires 

Standard No. 110: Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer 

Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR 

of 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less 

Standard No. 111: Rearview Mirrors 

Standard No. 112: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 113: Hood Latch System 

Standard No. 114: Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention 

Standard No. 115: [Reserved] Requirements moved to Part 565—Vehicle Identification 

Number 

Standard No. 116: Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids 

Standard No. 117: Retreaded Pneumatic Tires 

Standard No. 118: Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems 

Standard No. 119: New pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 

4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles 

Standard No. 120: Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer 

Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR 

of More Than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) 

Standard No. 121: Air Brake Systems 

1
Standard No. 122: Motorcycle Brake Systems 

Standard No. 123: Motorcycle Controls and Displays 

Standard No. 124: Accelerator Control Systems 

Standard No. 125: Warning Devices 

Standard No. 126: Electronic Stability Control Systems 

Standard No. 127: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 128: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 129: New Non-Pneumatic Tires for Passenger Cars 

Standard No. 131: School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices 

Standard No. 135: Light Vehicle Brake Systems 

Standard No. 138: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 

Standard No. 139: New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles 

Standard No. 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact 

Standard No. 202a: Head Restraints 

Standard No. 203: Impact Protection for the Driver from the Steering Control System 

Standard No. 204: Steering Control Rearward Displacement 

Standard No. 205: Glazing Materials 

Standard No. 206: Door Locks and Door Retention Components 

Standard No. 207: Seating Systems 

Standard No. 208: Occupant Crash Protection 

Standard No. 209: Seat Belt Assemblies 

Standard No. 210: Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages 

Standard No. 211: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 212: Windshield Mounting 

Standard No. 213: Child Restraint Systems 

Standard No. 214: Side Impact Protection 

2
Standard No. 215: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 216a: Roof Crush Resistance: Upgraded Standard 

Standard No. 217: Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release 

Standard No. 218: Motorcycle Helmets 

Standard No. 219: Windshield Zone Intrusion 

Standard No. 220: School Bus Rollover Protection 

Standard No. 221: School Bus Body Joint Strength 

Standard No. 222: School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection 

Standard No. 223: Rear Impact Guards 

Standard No. 224: Rear Impact Protection 

Standard No. 225: Child Restraint Anchorage Systems 

Standard No. 226: Ejection Mitigation 

Standard No. 301: Fuel System Integrity 

Standard No. 302: Flammability of Interior Materials 

Standard No. 303: Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles 

Standard No. 304: Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Container Integrity 

Standard No. 305: Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electric Shock 

Protection 

Standard No. 401: Interior Trunk Release 

Standard No. 402: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 403: Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles 

Standard No. 404: Platform Lift Installations in Motor Vehicles 

Standard No. 500: Low-Speed Vehicles 

 

3
Title 49: Chapter V—Other Regulations Relating To Transportation, 

Part 523 through Part 595 

Part 523: Vehicle Classification 

Part 525: Exemptions from Average Fuel Economy Standards 

Part 526: Petitions and Plans for Relief under the Automobile Fuel Efficiency Act of 1980 

Part 529: Manufacturers of Multistage Automobiles 

Part 531: Passenger Automobile Average Fuel Economy Standards 

Part 533: Light Truck Fuel Economy Standards 

Part 534: Rights and Responsibilities of Manufacturers in the Context of Changes in 

Corporate Relationships 

Part 536: Transfer and Trading of Fuel Economy Credits 

Part 537: Automotive Fuel Economy Reports 

Part 538: Manufacturing Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles 

Part 541: Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard 

Part 542: Procedures for Selecting Light Duty Truck Lines to Be Covered by the Theft 

Prevention Standard 

Part 543: Exemption from Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard 

Part 544: Insurer Reporting Requirements 

Part 545: Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard Phase-in and Small-volume 

Line Reporting Requirements 

Part 551: Procedural Rules 

Part 552: Petitions for Rulemaking, Defect, and Noncompliance Orders 

Part 553: Rulemaking Procedures 

Part 554: Standards Enforcement and Defects Investigation 

Part 555: Temporary Exemptions from Motor Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards 

Part 556: Exemption for Inconsequential Defect or Noncompliance 

Part 557: Petitions for Hearings on Notification and Remedy of Defects 

Part 563: Event Data Recorders 

4
Part 564: Replaceable Light Source and Sealed Beam Headlamp Information 

(Eff. 12-1-09) 

Part 565: Vehicle Identification Number Requirements 

Part 566: Manufacturer Identification 

Part 567: Certification 

Part 568: Vehicles Manufactured in Two or More Stages 

Part 569: Regrooved Tires 

Part 570: Vehicle-In-Use Inspection Standards 

Part 571: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 

Part 572: Anthropomorphic Test Devices 

 Subpart B—50th Percentile Male 

 Subpart C—3-Year-Old Child 

 Subpart D—6-Month-Old Infant 

 Subpart E—Hybrid III Test Dummy 

 Subpart F—Side Impact Dummy 50th Percentile Male 

 Subpart G—H [Reserved] 

 Subpart I—6-Year-Old Child 

 Subpart J—9-Month-Old Child 

 Subpart K—Newborn Infant 

 Subpart L—Free Motion Headform 

 Subpart M—Side Impact Hybrid Dummy 50th Percentile Male 

 Subpart N—Six-Year-Old Child Test Dummy, Beta Version 

 Subpart O—Hybrid III 5th Percentile Female Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

 Subpart P—Hybrid III 3-Year-Old Child Crash Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

 Subpart R—CRABI 12-Month-Old Infant Crash Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

 Subpart S—Hybrid III Six-Year-Old Weighted Child Test Dummy 

 Subpart T—[Reserved] 

Subpart U—ES-2re Side Impact Crash Test Dummy, 50th Percentile-Adult Male 

Subpart V—SID-IIsD Side Impact Crash Test Dummy, Small Adult Female 

Part 573: Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports 

Part 574: Tire Identification and Record Keeping 

Part 575: Consumer Information 

 Subpart A: Regulations Issued Under Section 112(d) of the National Traffic and 

Motor Vehicle Safety Act; General 

 Subpart B: Regulations; Consumer Information Items 

 575.103—Truck Camper Loading 

 575.104—Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards 

 575.105—Vehicle Rollover 

 Subpart C: Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and 

Documentation Act; Consumer Information 

5
Subpart D: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A 

Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); Consumer Information 

Part 576: Record Retention 

Part 577: Defect and Noncompliance Notification 

Part 578: Civil and Criminal Penalties 

Part 579: Reporting of Information and Communications about Potential Defects 

Part 580: Odometer Disclosure Requirements 

Part 581: Bumper Standard 

Part 582: Insurance Cost Information Regulation 

Part 583: Automobile Parts Content Labeling 

Part 585: Phase-in Reporting Requirements 

Part 586: [Reserved] 

Part 587: Deformable Barriers 

Part 588: Child Restraint System Recordkeeping Requirements 

Part 589: [Reserved] 

Part 590: [Reserved] 

Part 591: Importation of Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Federal Safety, Bumper, and 

Theft Prevention Standards 

Part 592: Registered Importers of Vehicles not Originally Manufactured to Conform to the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 

Part 593: Determinations that A Vehicle not Originally Manufactured to Conform to the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Is Eligible for Importation 

Part 594: Schedule of Fees Authorized by U.S.C. 30141 

Part 595: Make Inoperative Exemptions 

 

6
Summary Description of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: 

____________________ 

Standard No. 101: Controls and Displays 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements for location, identification, color, and 

illumination of motor vehicle controls, telltales and indicators. The purpose of this standard is to 

ensure the accessibility, visibility and recognition of motor vehicle controls, telltales and 

indicators, and to facilitate the proper selection of controls under daylight and nighttime 

conditions, in order to reduce the safety hazards caused by the diversion of the driver’s attention 

from the driving task, and by mistakes in selecting controls. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 102: Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and 

Transmission Braking Effect 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies the requirements for the transmission shift position sequence, a starter 

interlock, and for a braking effect of automatic transmissions, to reduce the likelihood of shifting 

errors, to prevent starter engagement by the driver when the transmission is in any drive position, 

and to provide supplemental braking at speeds below 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour). 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 103: Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for windshield defrosting and defogging systems to ensure 

that each vehicle shall have a windshield defrosting and defogging system which operates either 

by applying heat to the windshield or by dehumidifying the air inside the passenger compartment 

of the vehicle. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 104: Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the windshield wiping and washing systems. 

The purpose of this standard is to ensure that the windshield wiping and washing system shall 

wipe the specified percentage area of the windshield, with at least two frequencies or speeds. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 105: Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for hydraulic and electric service brake systems, and 

associated parking brake systems. The purpose of this standard is to insure safe braking 

performance under normal and emergency conditions. 

Application: 

This standard applies to multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR 

greater than 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) that are equipped with hydraulic or electric brake 

systems 

7
Standard No. 106: Brake Hoses 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes performance and labeling requirements for hydraulic, air, and vacuum 

brake hoses, brake hose assemblies, and brake hose end fittings for all motor vehicles. The 

purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring as a result of brake system 

failure from pressure or vacuum loss due to hose or hose assembly rupture. 

Application: 

This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, 

and motorcycles, and to hydraulic, air, and vacuum brake hose, brake hose assemblies, and brake 

hose end fittings for use in those vehicles. 

Standard No. 107: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 108: Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and 

associated equipment. The purpose of this standard is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and 

injuries resulting from traffic accidents, by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and 

by enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their presence is 

perceived and their signals understood, both in daylight and in darkness or other conditions of 

reduced visibility. 

Application: 

(a) Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, (except pole 

trailers and trailer converter dollies), and motorcycles 

(b) Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors 

(c) Replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment 

Standard No. 109: New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies tire dimensions and laboratory test requirements for bead unseating 

resistance, strength, endurance, and high speed performance; defines tire load ratings; and 

specifies labeling requirements for passenger car tires. 

Application: 

This standard applies to new pneumatic radial tires for use on passenger cars manufactured before 

1975, new pneumatic bias ply tires, T-type spare tires, ST, FI, and 8–12 rim diameter and below tires 

for use on passenger cars manufactured after 1948. However, it does not apply to any tire that has 

been so altered so as to render impossible its use, or its repair for use, as motor vehicle equipment. 

Standard No. 110: Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer 

Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 Kilograms 

(10,000 pounds) or Less 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for tire selection to prevent tire overloading and for motor 

home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information. 

Application: 

This standard applies to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR or 4,536 

kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less, except for motorcycles, and to non-pneumatic spare tire 

assemblies for those vehicles. 

 

8
Standard No. 111: Rearview Mirrors 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the performance and location of rearview mirrors. The 

purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that occur when the driver 

of a motor vehicle does not have a clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, school buses, and motorcycles 

Standard No. 112: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 113: Hood Latch System 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes the requirement for providing a hood latch system or hood latch 

systems. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 114: Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of 

crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles. The purpose of this 

standard is to decrease the likelihood that a vehicle is stolen, or accidentally set in motion. 

Application: 

This standard applies to all passenger cars, and to trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles 

with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. However, it does not apply to walk-in 

van-type vehicles. 

Standard No. 115: [Reserved] Requirements moved to Part 565—Vehicle Identification 

Number 

Standard No. 116: Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for fluids for use in hydraulic brake systems of motor 

vehicles, containers for these fluids, and labeling of the containers to reduce failures in the 

hydraulic braking systems of motor vehicles that may occur because of the manufacture or use of 

improper or contaminated fluid. 

Application: 

All fluids for use in hydraulic brake systems of motor vehicles; Passenger cars, multipurpose 

passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles 

Standard No. 117: Retreaded Pneumatic Tires 

Pneumatic Tires 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance, labeling, and certification requirements for retreaded 

pneumatic passenger car tires. The purpose of this standard is to require retreaded pneumatic 

passenger car tires to meet safety criteria similar to those for new pneumatic passenger car tires. 

Application: 

Retreaded pneumatic tires for use on passenger cars manufactured after 1948 

 

9
Standard No. 118: Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for power-operated window, partition, and roof panel 

systems to minimize the likelihood of death or injury from their accidental operation. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 

pounds) or less 

Standard No. 119: New pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 

4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes performance and marking requirements for tires for use on motor 

vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds and motorcycles. The purpose of this 

standard is to provide safe operational performance levels for tires used on motor vehicles with a 

GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, trailers, and motorcycles, and to place sufficient information 

on the tires to permit their proper selection and use. 

Application: 

(a) New pneumatic tires for use on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 

kilograms (10,000 pounds) manufactured after 1948; 

(b) New pneumatic light truck tires with a tread depth of 18/32 inch or greater, for use on 

motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less manufactured 

after 1948; 

(c) Tires for use on special-use trailers (ST, FI and 8–12 rim or lower diameter code); and 

(d) Tires for use on motorcycles manufactured after 1948. 

Standard No. 120: Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer 

Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 

4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies tire and rim selection requirements, rim marking requirements and motor 

home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information. The purpose of this standard is 

to provide safe operational performance by ensuring that vehicles to which it applies are equipped 

with tires of adequate size and load rating and with rims of appropriate size and type designation, 

and by ensuring that consumers are informed of motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load 

carrying capacity. 

Application: 

This standard applies to motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 

pounds and motorcycles, to rims for use on those vehicles, and to non-pneumatic spare tire 

assemblies for use on those vehicles. 

Standard No. 121: Air Brake Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes performance and equipment requirements for braking systems on 

vehicles equipped with air brake systems. The purpose of this standard is to insure safe braking 

performance under normal and emergency conditions. 

Application: 

Trucks, buses, and trailers equipped with air brake systems; certain trailers and trucks are 

exempted depending on width, axle GVWR, maximum speed, and unloaded vehicle weight. 

 

10
Standard No. 122: Motorcycle Brake Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies equipment and performance requirements for the brake systems of twowheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles. The purpose of this standard is to ensure safe 

motorcycle braking performance under normal and emergency conditions. 

Application: 

Two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles 

Standard No. 123: Motorcycle Controls and Displays 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the location, operation, identification and illumination of 

motorcycle controls and displays, and for motorcycle stands and footrests in order to minimize 

accidents caused by operator error in responding to the motoring environment, by standardizing 

certain motorcycle controls and displays. 

Application: 

Motorcycles equipped with handlebars, except for motorcycles that are designed, and sold 

exclusively for use by law enforcement agencies 

Standard No. 124: Accelerator Control Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for the return of a vehicle’s throttle to the idle position 

when the driver removes his or her foot from the accelerator control, or in the event of a 

severance or disconnection in the accelerator control system. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 125: Warning Devices 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for devices, without self-contained energy sources, that 

are designed to be carried in motor vehicles and used to warn approaching traffic of the presence 

of a stopped vehicle, except for devices designed to be permanently affixed to the vehicle. The 

purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries due to rear end collisions between 

moving traffic and disabled vehicles. 

Application: 

This standard applies to devices, without self-contained energy sources that are designed to be 

carried in buses and trucks that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 

pounds. 

Standard No. 126: Electronic Stability Control Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes performance and equipments for electronic stability control (ESC) 

systems. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that result 

from crashes in which the driver loses directional control of the vehicle, including those resulting 

in vehicle rollover. 

Application: 

This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a 

gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. 

Standard No. 127: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 128: [Reserved] 

11
Standard No. 129: New Non-Pneumatic Tires for Passenger Cars 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies tire dimensions and laboratory test requirements for lateral strength, 

strength, endurance, and high speed performance; defines the tire load rating; and specifies 

labeling requirements for non-pneumatic spare tires. 

Application: 

New temporary spare non-pneumatic tires for use on passenger cars 

Standard No. 131: School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for devices that can be installed on school buses to 

improve the safety of pedestrians in the vicinity of stopped school buses. The purpose of this 

standard is to reduce deaths and injuries by minimizing the likelihood of vehicles passing a 

stopped school bus and striking pedestrians in the vicinity of the bus. 

Application: 

School buses other than multifunction school activity buses 

Standard No. 135: Light Vehicle Brake Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for service brake and associated parking brake systems. The 

purpose of this standard is to ensure safe braking performance under normal and emergency 

driving conditions. 

Application: 

This standard applies to passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2000 and to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR) of 3,500 kilograms 

(7,716 pounds) or less, manufactured on or after September 1, 2002. In addition, at the option of 

the manufacturer, passenger cars manufactured before September 1, 2000, and multi-purpose 

passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR of 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) or less, 

manufactured before September 1, 2002, may meet the requirements of this standard instead of 

FMVSS No. 105, Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems. 

Standard No. 138: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMSs) 

to warn drivers of significant under-inflation of tires and the resulting safety problems. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less, except those vehicles with dual wheels on an axle 

Standard No. 139: New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies tire dimensions, test requirements, labeling requirements, and defines tire 

load ratings. 

Application: 

This standard applies to new pneumatic radial tires for use on motor vehicles (other than 

motorcycles and low speed vehicles) that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 

pounds or less and that were manufactured after 1975. This standard does not apply to special 

tires (ST) for trailers in highway service, tires for use on farm implements (FI) in agricultural 

service with intermittent highway use, tires with rim diameters of 8 inches and below, or T-type 

temporary use spare tires with radial construction. 

12
Standard No. 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements to afford impact protection for occupants. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less 

Standard No. 202a: Head Restraints 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for head restraints to reduce the frequency and severity of 

neck injury in rear-end and other collisions. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less 

Standard No. 203: Impact Protection for the Driver from the Steering Control System 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for steering control systems that will minimize chest, neck, 

and facial injuries to the driver as a result of impact. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less; exempted from the standard are: walk-in-vans and vehicles that conform to 

the frontal barrier crash requirements (S5.1) of Standard No. 208 by means other than seat belt 

assemblies 

Standard No. 204: Steering Control Rearward Displacement 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements limiting the rearward displacement of the steering control 

into the passenger compartment to reduce the likelihood of chest, neck, or head injury. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses; exempted from the 

standard are: walk-in vans 

Standard No. 205: Glazing Materials 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for glazing materials for use in motor vehicles and motor 

vehicle equipment. The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries resulting from impact to 

glazing surfaces, to ensure a necessary degree of transparency in motor vehicle windows for 

driver visibility and to minimize the possibility of occupants being thrown through the vehicle 

windows in collisions. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, slide-in campers, 

pickup covers designed to carry persons while in motion and low speed vehicles, and glazing 

materials for use in those vehicles. 

Standard No. 206: Door Locks and Door Retention Components 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for vehicle door locks and door retention components, 

including latches, hinges, and other supporting means, to minimize the likelihood of occupants 

being ejected from a vehicle as a result of impact. 

13
Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

or less 

Standard No. 207: Seating Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for seats, their attachment assemblies, and their 

installation to minimize the possibility of their failure by forces acting on them as a result of 

vehicle impact. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 208: Occupant Crash Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements for the protection of vehicle occupants in 

crashes. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths of vehicle occupants, and 

the severity of injuries, by specifying vehicle crashworthiness requirements in terms of forces and 

accelerations measured on anthropomorphic dummies in test crashes, and by specifying 

equipment requirements for active and passive restraint systems. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses, and pressure vessels designed 

to contain a pressurized fluid or gas, and explosive devices, for use in the above types of motor 

vehicles as part of a system designed to provide protection to occupants in the event of a crash. 

Standard No. 209: Seat Belt Assemblies 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for seat belt assemblies. Seat belt assemblies are devices 

such as straps, webbing, or similar device designed to secure a person in a motor vehicle in order 

to mitigate the results of any accident, including all necessary buckles and other fasteners and all 

hardware designed for installing such seat belt assembly in a motor vehicle. The purpose of this 

standard is to ensure that the hardware of seat belt assemblies shall be designed to prevent 

attachment bolts and other parts from becoming disengaged from the vehicle while in service. 

Application: 

Seat belt assemblies for use in passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 210: Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for seat belt assembly anchorages to ensure their proper 

location for effective occupant restraint and to reduce the likelihood of their failure. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and school buses 

Standard No. 211: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 212: Windshield Mounting 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes windshield retention requirements for motor vehicles during crashes. 

The purpose of this standard is to reduce crash injuries and fatalities by providing for retention of 

the vehicle windshield during a crash, thereby utilizing fully the penetration-resistance and 

injury-avoidance properties of the windshield glazing material and preventing the ejection of 

occupants from the vehicle. 

14
Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less; exempted from this standard are: forward control vehicles, walk-in van-type 

vehicles, or open-body type vehicles with fold-down or removable windshields 

Standard No. 213: Child Restraint Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in motor vehicles and 

aircraft for the purpose of reducing the number of children killed or injured in motor vehicle 

crashes and in aircraft. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, and child restraint systems for 

use in motor vehicles and aircraft 

Standard No. 214: Side Impact Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements for protection of occupants in side impacts. 

The purpose of this standard is to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injury to occupants of 

passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses in side impacts by specifying 

strength requirements for side doors, limiting the forces, deflections and accelerations measured 

on anthropomorphic dummies in test crashes, and by other means. 

Application: 

This standard applies to passenger cars, and to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses 

with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less, except for walk-in vans, or otherwise 

specified. 

Standard No. 215: [Reserved] 

Standard No. 216a: Roof Crush Resistance 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes strength requirements for the passenger compartment roof. The purpose 

of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries due to the crushing of the roof into the occupant 

compartment in rollover crashes. 

Application: 

Passenger cars (except convertibles) and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses 

(except school buses) with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lb) or less 

Standard No. 217: Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for the retention of windows other than windshields in 

buses, and establishes operating forces, opening dimensions, and markings for bus emergency 

exits. The purpose of this standard is to minimize the likelihood of occupants being thrown from 

the bus and to provide a means of readily accessible emergency egress. 

Application: 

Buses (including school buses), except buses manufactured for the purpose of transporting 

persons under physical restraint 

 

15
Standard No. 218: Motorcycle Helmets 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for use by 

motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and 

injuries to motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users resulting from head impacts. 

Application: 

All helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users 

Standard No. 219: Windshield Zone Intrusion 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies limits for the displacement into the windshield area of motor vehicle 

components during a crash. The purpose of this standard is to reduce crash injuries and fatalities 

that result from occupants contacting vehicle components displaced near or through the 

windshield. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 

kilograms (10,000 lb) or less; exempted from this standard are: forward control vehicles, walk-in 

van-type vehicles, or open-body type vehicles with fold-down or removable windshields 

Standard No. 220: School Bus Rollover Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes performance requirements for school bus rollover protection. The 

purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and the severity of injuries that result 

from failure of the school bus body structure to withstand forces encountered in rollover crashes. 

Application: 

School buses 

Standard No. 221: School Bus Body Joint Strength 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for the strength of the body panel joints in school bus 

bodies. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from the structural 

collapse of school bus bodies during crashes. 

Application: 

School buses 

Standard No. 222: School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes occupant protection requirements for school bus passenger seating and 

restraining barriers. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and the 

severity of injuries that result from the impact of school bus occupants against structures within 

the vehicle during crashes and sudden driving maneuvers. 

Application: 

School buses 

Standard No. 223: Rear Impact Guards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for rear impact guards for trailers and semitrailers. The 

purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur when 

light duty vehicles collide with the rear end of trailers and semitrailers. 

 

16
Application: 

Rear impact guards for trailers and semitrailers subject to FMVSS No. 224, Rear Impact 

Protection 

Standard No. 224: Rear Impact Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for the installation of rear impact guards on trailers and 

semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or more. The purpose of this standard is to 

reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries occurring when light duty vehicles impact the 

rear of trailers and semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or more. 

Application: 

Trailers and semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or more; exempted from this 

standard are: pole trailers, pulpwood trailers, road construction controlled horizontal discharge 

trailers, special purpose vehicles, wheels back vehicles, or temporary living quarters as defined in 

49 CFR 529.2 

Standard No. 225: Child Restraint Anchorage Systems 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper 

location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the 

anchorage systems’ failure, and to increase the likelihood that child restraints are properly 

secured and thus more fully achieve their potential effectiveness in motor vehicles. 

Application: 

Passenger cars; trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 3,855 kg (8,500 lb) 

or less; and buses (including school buses) with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less; 

exempted from the standard are: walk-in van-type vehicles, vehicles manufactured to be sold 

exclusively to the U.S. Postal Service, shuttle buses, and funeral coaches. 

Standard No. 226: Ejection Mitigation 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for ejection mitigation systems to reduce the likelihood of 

complete and partial ejections of vehicle occupants through side windows during rollovers or side 

impact events. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

or less; exempted from the standard are: walk-in vans, modified roof vehicles and convertibles. 

Law enforcement vehicles, correctional institution vehicles, taxis and limousines, if they have a 

fixed security partition separating the 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd rows and if they are produced by 

more than one manufacturer or are altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) are also 

exempted from the standard 

Standard No. 301: Fuel System Integrity 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems. The purpose 

of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring from fires that result from fuel spillage 

during and after motor vehicle crashes, and resulting from ingestion of fuels during siphoning. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that have a GVWR of 

4,536 kg or less and use fuel with a boiling point above 0 °C, and to school buses that have a 

GVWR greater than 4,536 kg and use fuel with a boiling point above 0 °C. 

17
Standard No. 302: Flammability of Interior Materials 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies burn resistance requirements for materials used in the occupant 

compartments of motor vehicles. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the deaths and injuries 

to motor vehicle occupants caused by vehicle fires, especially those originating in the interior of 

the vehicle from sources such as matches or cigarettes. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses 

Standard No. 303: Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems using 

compressed natural gas (CNG), including the CNG fuel systems of bi-fuel, dedicated, and dual 

fuel CNG vehicles. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring from 

fires that result from fuel leakage during and after motor vehicle crashes. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses that have a GVWR of 4,536 

kg (10,000 lb) or less and use compressed natural gas as a motor fuel, and school buses regardless 

of weight that use compressed natural gas as a motor fuel 

Standard No. 304: Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Container Integrity 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of compressed natural gas (CNG) motor 

vehicle fuel containers. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring 

from fires that result from fuel leakage during and after motor vehicle crashes. 

Application: 

Passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, and bus that uses CNG as a motor fuel; and 

container designed to store CNG as motor fuel on-board any motor vehicle 

Standard No. 305: Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electric Shock 

Protection 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for limitation of electrolyte spillage, retention of electric 

energy storage/conversion devices during a crash, and electrical isolation of the chassis from the 

high voltage system, to be met by vehicles that use electricity as propulsion power. The purpose 

of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries during a crash, which occur because of electrolyte 

spillage, intrusion of electric energy storage/conversion devices into the occupant compartment, 

and electrical shock. 

Application: 

Passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg 

(10,000 lb) or less, that use electrical components with working voltages more than 60 volts 

direct current or 30 volts alternating current for propulsion power, and whose speed attainable in 

1.6 km on a paved level surface is more than 40 km/h 

Standard No. 401: Interior Trunk Release 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes the requirement for providing a trunk release mechanism that makes it 

possible for a person trapped inside the trunk compartment of a passenger car to escape from the 

compartment. 

Application: 

18
Passenger cars with a trunk compartment; exempted from this standard is passenger cars with a 

back door 

Standard No. 402 [Reserved] 

Standard No. 403: Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for platform lifts used to assist persons with limited mobility 

in entering or leaving a vehicle. The purpose of this standard is to prevent injuries and fatalities to 

passengers and bystanders during the operation of platform lifts installed in motor vehicles. 

Application: 

This standard applies to platform lifts manufactured on and after April 1, 2005, that are designed 

to carry passengers into and out of motor vehicles. 

Standard No. 404: Platform Lift Installations in Motor Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for vehicles equipped with platform lifts used to assist 

persons with limited mobility in entering or leaving a vehicle. The purpose of this standard is to 

prevent injuries and fatalities to passengers and bystanders during the operation of platform lifts 

installed in motor vehicles. 

Application: 

This standard applies to motor vehicles manufactured on and after July 1, 2005, that are equipped 

with a platform lift to carry passengers into and out of the vehicle. 

Standard No. 500: Low-Speed Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies requirements for low-speed vehicles. The purpose of this standard is to 

ensure that low-speed vehicles operated on the public streets, roads, and highways are equipped 

with the minimum motor vehicle equipment appropriate for motor vehicle safety. 

Application: 

Low-speed vehicles; a low-speed vehicle is a 4-wheeled motor vehicle, whose top speed is more 

than 32 km/h (20 mph) and not more than 40 km/h (25 mph). 

 

19
Summary Description of Other Regulations Relating To Transportation: 

_________________________ 

Part 523: Vehicle Classification 

Scope: 

This part establishes categories of vehicles that are subject to title V of the Motor Vehicle 

Information and Cost Savings Act.

Part 525: Exemptions from Average Fuel Economy Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for the submission and disposition of petitions filed by low 

volume manufacturers of passenger automobiles to exempt them from the average fuel economy 

standards for passenger automobiles and to establish alternative average fuel economy standards 

for those manufacturers. The purpose of this part is to provide content and format requirements 

for low volume manufacturers of passenger automobiles which desire to petition the 

Administrator for exemption from applicable average fuel economy standards and for 

establishment of appropriate alternative average fuel economy standards and to give interested 

persons an opportunity to present data, views and arguments on those petitions. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of passenger automobiles 

Part 526: Petitions and Plans for Relief under the Automobile Fuel Efficiency Act of 1980 

Application: 

These regulations apply to petitions and plans submitted under the Automobile Fuel Efficiency 

Act of 1980. 

Part 529: Manufacturers of Multistage Automobiles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part determines, in cases where more than one person is the manufacturer of an automobile, 

which person is to be treated as the manufacturer for purposes of compliance. 

Application: 

This part applies to incomplete automobile manufacturers, intermediate manufacturers, and finalstage manufacturers of automobiles that are manufactured in two or more stages. 

Part 531: Passenger Automobile Average Fuel Economy Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles. The purpose is 

to increase the fuel economy of passenger automobiles by establishing minimum levels of 

average fuel economy for those vehicles. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of passenger automobiles 

Part 533: Light Truck Fuel Economy Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes average fuel economy standards for light trucks. The purpose of this part is 

to increase the fuel economy of light trucks by establishing minimum levels of average fuel 

economy for those vehicles. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of light trucks 

20
Part 534: Rights and Responsibilities of Manufacturers in the Context of Changes in 

Corporate Relationships 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part defines the rights and responsibilities of manufacturers in the context of changes in 

corporate relationships for purposes of the automotive fuel economy program. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of passenger automobiles and non-passenger automobiles 

Part 536: Transfer and Trading of Fuel Economy Credits 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes regulations governing the use and application of CAFE credits up to three 

model years before and five model years after the model year in which the credit was earned. It 

also specifies requirements for manufacturers wishing to transfer fuel economy credits between 

their fleets and for manufacturers and other persons wishing to trade fuel economy credits to 

achieve compliance with prescribed fuel economy standards. 

Application: 

This part applies to all credits earned (and transferable and tradable) for exceeding applicable 

average fuel economy standards in a given model year for domestically manufactured passenger 

cars, imported passenger cars, and light trucks. 

Part 537: Automotive Fuel Economy Reports

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for automobile manufacturers to submit reports to the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding their efforts to improve automotive fuel 

economy. The purpose of this part is to obtain information to aid the National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration in valuating automobile manufacturers' plans for complying with average 

fuel economy standards and in preparing an annual review of the average fuel economy 

standards. 

Application: 

This part applies to automobile manufacturers, except for manufacturers subject to an alternate 

fuel economy standard. 

Part 538: Manufacturing Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes minimum driving range criteria to aid in identifying passenger automobiles 

that are dual-fueled automobiles. It also establishes gallon equivalent measurements for gaseous 

fuels other than natural gas. This part also extends the dual-fuel incentive program. The purpose 

of this part is to specify one of the criteria for identifying dual-fueled passenger automobiles that 

are manufactured in model years 1993 through 2004. The fuel economy of a qualifying vehicle is 

calculated in a special manner so as to encourage its production as a way of facilitating a 

manufacturer's compliance with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards. The purpose is 

also to establish gallon equivalent measurements for gaseous fuels other than natural gas. This 

part also specifies the model years after 2004 in which the fuel economy of dual-fueled 

automobiles may be calculated under the special incentive provisions. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of automobiles 

Part 541: Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard specifies performance requirements for identifying numbers or symbols to be 

placed on major parts of certain passenger motor vehicles. The purpose of this standard is to 

21
reduce the incidence of motor vehicle thefts by facilitating the tracing and recovery of parts from 

stolen vehicles. 

Application: 

(1) Passenger motor vehicle parts identified in 49 CFR 541.5(a) that are present in: 

i. passenger cars; and 

ii. Multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or 

less; and 

iii. Light-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less, that NHTSA 

has determined to be high theft in accordance with 49 CFR 542.1; and 

iv. Light duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less, that NHTSA 

has determined to be subject to the requirements of this section in accordance with 49 

CFR 542.2. 

(2) Replacement passenger motor vehicle parts identified in 49 CFR 541.5(a) for vehicles listed 

in paragraphs (1)(i) to (iv) of this section. 

Part 542: Procedures for Selecting Light Duty Truck Lines to Be Covered by the Theft 

Prevention Standard 

Scope and Purpose: 

This section sets forth the procedures for motor vehicle manufacturers and NHTSA to follow in 

the determination of whether any new light duty truck line is likely to have a theft rate above or 

below the 1990/91 median theft rate. 

Application: 

These procedures apply to each manufacturer that plans to introduce a new light duty truck line 

into commerce in the United States on or after September 1, 2006, and to each of those new lines. 

Part 543: Exemption from Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for filing and processing petitions to exempt lines of passenger 

motor vehicles from 49 CFR Part 541, and procedures for terminating or modifying an 

exemption. The purpose of this part is to specify the content and format of petitions which may be 

filed by manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles to obtain an exemption from the parts 

marking requirements of the vehicle theft prevention standard for passenger motor vehicle lines 

which include, as standard equipment, an antitheft device if the agency concludes that the device 

is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the 

parts-marking requirements. This part also provides the procedures that the agency will follow in 

processing those petitions and in terminating or modifying exemptions. 

Application: 

This part applies to manufacturers of vehicles subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Part 541, 

and to any interested person who seeks to have NHTSA terminate an exemption. 

Part 544: Insurer Reporting Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part sets forth requirements for insurers to report to the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration information about motor vehicle thefts and recoveries, the effects of the Federal 

motor vehicle theft prevention standard on those thefts and recoveries, and related insurance 

practices. The purpose of these reporting requirements in this part is to aid in implementing and 

evaluating the provisions of Theft Prevention to prevent or discourage the theft of motor vehicles, 

to prevent or discourage the sale or distribution in interstate commerce of used parts removed 

from stolen motor vehicles, and to help reduce the cost to consumers of comprehensive insurance 

coverage for motor vehicles. 

22
Application: 

This part applies to the motor vehicle insurance policy issuers listed in appendices A or B, and to 

the motor vehicle rental and leasing companies listed in appendix C of 49 CFR Part 544. 

Part 545: Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard Phase-in and Small-volume 

Line Reporting Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for manufacturers of motor vehicles to respond to NHTSA 

inquiries, to submit reports, and to maintain records related to the reports, concerning the number 

of vehicles that meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 541, and the number of vehicles that are 

excluded from the requirements of 49 CFR Part 541 pursuant to 49 CFR 541.3(b)(2). 

Application: 

Manufacturers of motor vehicles 

Part 551: Procedural Rules 

 Subpart A: General 

This part contains rules of procedure generally applicable to the transaction of official business. 

These rules apply in addition to the rules governing specific proceedings. In case of inconsistency 

with these general rules, the specific rules prevail. 

Subpart B: [Reserved] 

Subpart C: Submittals in Writing 

This subpart specifies the form, address, subscription, and language of communications. 

Subpart D: Service of Process on Foreign Manufacturers and Importers 

This subpart establishes a procedure for foreign manufacturers, assemblers and importers of 

motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to designate an agent in the United States on whom 

service of administrative or judicial notices or processes may be made. 

Part 552: Petitions for Rulemaking, Defect, and Noncompliance Orders 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for the submission and disposition of petitions filed by interested 

persons to initiate rulemaking or to make a decision that a motor vehicle or item of replacement 

equipment does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard or contains 

a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety. The purpose of this part is to enable the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify and respond on a timely basis to petitions for 

rulemaking or defect or noncompliance decisions, and to inform the public of the procedures 

following in response to such petitions. 

Application: 

Any interested person 

Part 553: Rulemaking Procedures 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part prescribes rulemaking procedures that apply to the issuance, amendment, and revocation 

of rules. 

Application: 

The Administrator may initiate rulemaking either on his own motion or on petition by any 

interested person after a determination in accordance with 49 CFR Part 552 that grant of the 

petition is advisable. The Administrator may, in his discretion, also consider the 

recommendations of other agencies of the United States. 

 

23
Part 554: Standards Enforcement and Defects Investigation 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for enforcing Federal motor vehicle safety standards and 

associated regulations, investigating possible safety-related defects, and making non-compliance 

and defect determinations. The purpose of this part is to inform interested persons of the 

procedures followed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in order more fairly 

and effectively to implement the safety of motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment. 

Application: 

This part applies to actions, investigations, and defect and noncompliance decisions of the 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Part 555: Temporary Exemption from Motor Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for temporary exemption by the NHTSA of certain motor 

vehicles from compliance with one or more Federal motor vehicle safety standards and certain 

passenger motor vehicles from compliance with all or part of a Federal bumper standard. The 

purposes of this part are: 

(a) to provide a means by which manufacturers of motor vehicles may obtain temporary 

exemptions from Federal motor vehicle safety standards on the basis of substantial economic 

hardship, facilitation of the development of new motor vehicle safety or low-emission engine 

features, or existence of an equivalent overall level of motor vehicle safety; and 

(b) to provide a means by which manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles may obtain a 

temporary exemption from compliance with all or part of a Federal bumper standard issued 

under Part 581 of this chapter on a basis similar to that provided for exemptions from the 

Federal motor vehicle safety standards. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of motor vehicles and passenger motor vehicles 

Part 556: Exemption for Inconsequential Defect or Noncompliance 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part sets forth procedures, pursuant to section 157 of the Act, for exempting manufacturers 

of motor vehicles and replacement equipment from the Act's notice and remedy requirements 

when a defect or noncompliance is determined to be inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle 

safety. The purpose of this part is to enable manufacturers of motor vehicles and replacement 

equipment to petition the NHTSA for exemption from the notification and remedy requirements 

of the Act due to the inconsequentiality of the defect or noncompliance as it relates to motor 

vehicle safety, and to give all interested persons an opportunity for presentation of data, views, 

and arguments on the issues of inconsequentiality. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of motor vehicles and replacement equipment 

Part 557: Petitions for Hearings on Notification and Remedy of Defects 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for the submission and disposition of petitions for hearings on 

whether a manufacturer has reasonably met its obligation to notify owners, purchasers, and 

dealers of a safety-related defect or failure to comply with safety standards or to remedy such 

defect or noncompliance. This part also establishes procedures for holding such a hearing. 

Application: 

Any interested person 

 

24
Part 563: Event Data Recorders 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies uniform, national requirements for vehicles equipped with event data recorders 

(EDRs) concerning the collection, storage, and retrievability of onboard motor vehicle crash 

event data. It also specifies requirements for vehicle manufacturers to make tools and/or methods 

commercially available so that crash investigators and researchers are able to retrieve data from 

EDRs. The purpose of this part is to help ensure that EDRs record, in a readily usable manner, 

data valuable for effective crash investigations and for analysis of safety equipment performance 

(e.g., advanced restraint systems). These data will help provide a better understanding of the 

circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and will lead to safer vehicle designs. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 3,855 kg 

(8,500 lb) or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2,495 kg (5,500 lb) or less manufactured on 

or after September 1, 2012, if equipped with an EDR; exempted from this part are: walk-in vantype trucks or vehicles designed to be sold exclusively to the U.S. Postal Service. This part also 

applies to manufacturers of those vehicles. However, vehicles manufactured before September 1, 

2013 that are manufactured in two or more stages or that are altered (within the meaning of 49 

CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified to the FMVSSs in accordance with part 567 of 

this chapter need not meet the requirements of this part. 

Part 564: Replaceable Light Source and Sealed Beam Headlamp Information (Eff. 12-1-09) 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part requires the submission of dimensional, electrical specification, and 

marking/designation information as specified in Appendices A and B of this part, for original 

equipment replaceable light sources used in motor vehicle headlighting systems. This part also 

serves as a repository for design information as specified in appendix C of this part, for original 

equipment and replacement standardized sealed beam units used in motor vehicle headlighting 

systems. 

Application: 

Replaceable light sources used as original equipment, and standardized sealed beam headlamp 

units used as original equipment and replacement equipment in motor vehicle headlighting 

systems 

Part 565: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies the format, content, and physical requirements for a vehicle identification 

number system to simplify vehicle identification information retrieval and increase the accuracy 

and efficiency of vehicle defect recall campaigns. 

Application: 

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers (including trailer kits), 

incomplete vehicles, and motorcycles 

Part 566: Manufacturer Identification 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part requires manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment items to which a 

motor vehicle safety standard applies, to submit identifying information and descriptions of the 

items they produce to the Department of Transportation. Revised information is also required 

when necessary to keep the entry current. The purpose of this part is to facilitate the regulation of 

manufacturers under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and to aid in establishing 

a code numbering system for all regulated manufacturers. 

25
Application: 

Manufacturers of regulated motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, other than tires 

Part 567: Certification 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies the content and location of, and other requirements for, the certification label 

to be affixed to motor vehicles as required to address certification-related duties and liabilities, 

and to provide the consumer with information to assist him or her in determining which of the 

FMVSSs (49 CFR Part 571), Bumper Standards (49 CFR Part 581), and Federal Theft Prevention 

Standards (49 CFR Part 541), are applicable to the vehicle. 

Application: 

(a) Manufacturers including alterers of motor vehicles to which one or more standards are 

applicable. 

(b) In the case of imported motor vehicles that do not have the label required by 49 CFR 567.4, 

Registered Importers of vehicles admitted into the United States under 49 U.S.C. 30141- 

30147 and 49 CFR Part 591 must affix a label as required by 49 CFR 567.4, after the vehicle 

has been brought into conformity with the applicable Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention 

Standards. 

Part 568: Vehicles Manufactured In Two or More Stages - All Incomplete, Intermediate 

and Final-stage Manufacturers of Vehicles Manufactured in Two or More Stages 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part is prescribes the method by which manufacturers of vehicles manufactured in two or 

more stages shall ensure conformity of those vehicles with the FMVSSs and other regulations. 

Application: 

Incomplete vehicle manufacturers, intermediate manufacturers, and final-stage manufacturers of 

vehicles manufactured in two or more stages 

Part 569: Regrooved Tires 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies the conditions under which regrooved and regroovable tires manufactured or 

regrooved after the effective date of the regulation may be sold, offered for sale, introduced for 

sale or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce. This part also specifies labeling 

requirements. 

Application: 

All motor vehicle regrooved or regroovable tires manufactured or regrooved after 8-30-69 

Part 570: Vehicle-In-Use Inspection Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies standards and procedures for the inspection of hydraulic service brake systems, 

steering and suspension systems, tire and wheel assemblies of motor vehicles in use. The purpose 

of this part is to establish criteria for the inspection of motor vehicles by State inspection systems 

in order to reduce death and injuries attributable to failure or inadequate performance of motor 

vehicle systems. 

Application: 

This part does not in itself impose requirements on any person. It is intended to be implemented 

by States through highway safety program standards issued under the Highway Safety Act (23 

U.S.C. 402) with respect to inspection of motor vehicles. 

 

26
Part 571: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 

Scope: 

This part contains the FMVSSs for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment established 

under section 103 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. 

Part 572: Anthropomorphic Test Devices 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part describes the anthropomorphic test devices that are to be used for compliance testing of 

motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment with motor vehicle safety standards. The design and 

performance criteria specified in this part are intended to describe measuring tools with sufficient 

precision to give repetitive and correlative results under similar test conditions and to reflect 

adequately the protective performance of a vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment with 

respect to human occupants. 

Application: 

This part is a description of tools that measure the performance of occupant protection systems 

required by the safety standards that incorporate it. It is designed to be referenced by, and become 

a part of the test procedures specified in motor vehicle safety standards such as Standard No. 208, 

Occupant Crash Protection. 

Subpart B: 50th Percentile Male 

This subpart describes a 50th percentile male dummy known as the Hybrid II that was introduced 

to Part 572 in 1973. Formerly specified for use in FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, 

it has been replaced by the Subpart E, Hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy in that standard. It 

is still referenced in FMVSS No. 213 as an optional means to load a vehicle equipped with a 

built-in child restraint system. 

Subpart C: 3-Year-Old Child 

This subpart describes a dummy known as the Hybrid II or VIP three-year-old that was 

introduced into Part 572 in 1979. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint 

Systems. 

Subpart D: 6-Month-Old Infant 

This subpart describes a six-month-old infant dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 1985. 

Developed by the Civil Aeromedical Institute, this canvas-covered dummy was once specified for 

use in FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart E: Hybrid III Test Dummy 

This subpart describes a 50th percentile male dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 1986 as 

an upgrade to the Subpart B dummy. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash 

Protection. It is also specified for use in the dynamic option of FMVSS No. 202a, Head 

Restraints, and is referenced in FMVSS Nos. 212, Windshield Mounting, 213, Child Restraint 

Systems, and 219, Windshield Zone Intrusion, as a means to attain the proper test load of a 

vehicle. 

Subpart F: Side Impact Dummy 50th Percentile Male 

This subpart describes a 50th percentile male dummy known as the SID for use in lateral impacts. 

It was introduced into Part 572 in 1990. The basic design is derived from the Part 572 Subpart B 

Hybrid II dummy with a redesigned chest assembly and without arms. It is specified for use in 

FMVSS No. 214, Side Impact Protection. 

Subparts G-H: [Reserved] 

Subpart I: 6-Year-Old Child 

This subpart describes a child dummy known as the Hybrid II or VIP six-year-old. It was 

introduced into Part 572 in 1991. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint 

Systems. 

Subpart J: 9-Month-Old Child 

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This subpart describes a 9-month-old child dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 1991. It 

is specified for use in FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart K: Newborn Infant 

This subpart describes a newborn dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 1993. Developed 

by the Civil Aeromedical Institute, this canvas-covered dummy is similar in design to the subpart 

D six-month-old dummy and is specified for use in FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. It 

is also referenced in FMVSS No. 208 for testing of car beds. 

Subpart L: Free Motion Headform 

This subpart describes a headform corresponding to an adult 50th percentile male. The headform 

is designed to have a featureless face and is based on the head of the Subpart E, Hybrid III 50th 

percentile male dummy. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 201, Occupant Protection in 

Interior Impact. 

Subpart M: Side Impact Hybrid Dummy 50th Percentile Male 

This subpart describes a side impact dummy known as the SID-HIII that was introduced into Part 

572 in 1998. It consists for the head and neck of the Subpart E, Hybrid III attached to the body of 

the Subpart F, Side Impact Dummy. The head and neck provide the dummy with an enhanced 

ability to assess head injuries in side impacts. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 201, 

Occupant Protection in Interior Impact. 

Subpart N: Six–Year-Old Child Test Dummy, Beta Version 

This subpart describes a child dummy known as the Hybrid III six-year-old that was introduced 

into Part 572 in 2000 as an upgrade to the subpart I six-year-old. It is specified for use in FMVSS 

No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, and FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart O: Hybrid III 5th Percentile Female Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

This subpart describes a small adult female dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 2000. It 

is specified for use in FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. It is also referenced in 

FMVSS No. 202a, Head Restraints. 

Subpart P: 3-Year-Old Child Crash Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

This subpart describes a child dummy known as the Hybrid III three-year-old that was introduced 

into Part 572 in 2000 as an upgrade to the subpart C three-year-old. It is specified for use in 

FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, and FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart R: CRABI 12-Month-Old Infant Crash Test Dummy, Alpha Version 

This subpart describes the 12-month-old-infant dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 2000. 

This dummy is designed to assess Child Restraint Air Bag Interaction (CRABI). It is used to 

evaluate air bag exposure to infants restrained in child safety seats that are placed in the front seat 

as specified in FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. It is also specified for use in 

FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart S: Hybrid III Six-Year-Old Weighted Child Test Dummy 

This subpart describes a six-year-old weighted child dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 

2004. It is a Subpart N Hybrid III six-year-old child dummy with weights attached to the lateral 

sides of the spine and the superior surface of the pelvis. Weighing 62 lbs, this dummy is ten 

pounds heavier than the standard subpart N counterpart. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 

213, Child Restraint Systems. 

Subpart T: [Reserved] 

Subpart U: ES-2re Side Impact Crash Test Dummy, 50th Percentile Adult Male 

This subpart describes a 50th percentile adult male dummy that was introduced into Part 572 in 

2006 as an upgrade to the subpart F side impact dummy. This dummy is also known as the 

EuroSID-2 with rib extensions. It has the same basic design as the updated version of the side 

impact dummy used in European regulations. It is specified for use in FMVSS No. 214, Side 

Impact Protection. 

Subpart V: SID-IIsD Side Impact Crash Test Dummy, Small Adult Female 

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This subpart describes a ninety-seven pound adult female dummy that was introduced into Part 

572 in 2006 for use in side impacts. It is known as the SID-IIsD because it represents design 

level D of a second version of the side impact dummy built to represent a small female. It is 

specified for use in FMVSS No. 214, Side Impact Protection. 

Part 573: Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part: 

(a) Sets forth the responsibilities of manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle 

equipment with respect to safety-related defects and non-compliances with Federal motor 

vehicle safety standards in motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment; and 

(b) Specifies requirements for - 

(1) Manufacturers to maintain lists of owners, purchasers, dealers, and distributors notified of 

defective and non-complying motor vehicles and motor vehicle original and replacement 

equipment, 

(2) Reporting to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defects in 

motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment and non-compliances with motor vehicle 

safety standards prescribed under 49 CFR Part 571, and 

(3) Providing quarterly reports on defect and noncompliance notification campaigns. 

The purposes of this part are: 

(a) To facilitate the notification of owners of defective and non-complying motor vehicles and 

items of motor vehicle equipment, and the remedy of such defects and non-compliances, by 

equitably apportioning the responsibility for safety-related defects and non-compliances with 

Federal motor vehicle safety standards among manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor 

vehicle equipment; and 

(b) To inform NHTSA of defective and non-complying motor vehicles and items of motor 

vehicle equipment, and to obtain information for NHTSA on the adequacy of manufacturers' 

defect and noncompliance notification campaigns, on corrective action, on owner response, 

and to compare the defect incidence rate among different groups of vehicles. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment 

Part 574: Tire Identification and Record Keeping 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part sets forth the method by which new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners 

shall identify tires for use on motor vehicles and maintain records of tire purchasers, and the 

methods by which retreaders and retreaded tire brand name owners shall identify tires for use on 

motor vehicles. This part also sets forth the methods by which independent tire dealers and 

distributors shall record, on registration forms, their names and addresses and the identification 

number of the tires sold to the tire purchasers and provide the forms to the purchasers, so that the 

purchasers may report their names to the new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners, 

and by which other tire dealers and distributors shall record and report the names of tire 

purchasers to the new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners. The purpose of this 

part is to facilitate notification to purchasers of defective or nonconforming tires so that they may 

take appropriate action in the interest of motor vehicle safety. 

Application: 

New tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners 

Part 575: Consumer Information 

Subpart A: Regulations Issued Under Section 112(d) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle 

Safety Act; General 

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Scope: 

This part contains Federal Motor Vehicle Consumer Information Regulations established under 

section 112(d) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. 

Application: 

(a) General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, each section set 

forth in subpart B of this part applies according to its terms to motor vehicles and tires 

manufactured after the effective date indicated. 

(b) Military vehicles. This part does not apply to motor vehicles or tires sold directly to the 

Armed Forces of the United States in conformity with contractual specifications. 

(c) Export. This part does not apply to motor vehicles or tires intended solely for export and 

so labeled or tagged. 

(d) Import. This part does not apply to motor vehicles or tires imported for purposes other 

than resale. 

Subpart B: Regulations; Consumer Information Items 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part contains Federal Motor Vehicle Consumer Information Regulations and requires 

manufacturers to provide the following information to first purchasers: 

575.103 - Truck-Camper Loading 

Scope and Purpose: 

 Manufacturers of trucks that are capable of accommodating slide-in campers manufactured after 

April 1, 1973, must provide a cargo weight rating and the longitudinal limits within which the 

center of gravity for the cargo weight rating should be located. The purpose of this section is to 

provide information that can be used to reduce overloading and improper load distribution in 

truck-camper combinations, in order to prevent accidents resulting from the adverse effects of 

these conditions on vehicle steering and braking. 

Application: 

Slide-in campers and trucks that are capable of accommodating slide-in campers 

575.104 - Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This section requires motor vehicle and tire manufacturers and tire brand name owners to provide 

information on tread life, traction, and temperature resistance. The grades are displayed on the 

sidewall of the tire, on a label, and in a leaflet available at the tire dealer’s store. The purpose of 

this section is to aid the consumer in making an informed choice in the purchase of passenger car 

tires. 

Application: 

This section applies to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger cars and “Limited production 

tire(s)” that meet certain criteria. This section does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow 

tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 254 mm to 305 

mm (10 in. to 12 in.), or to limited production tires as defined in (c)(2) of this section. 

575.105 - Vehicle Rollover 

Scope and Purpose: 

This section requires manufacturers of utility vehicles to permanently affix to either side of the 

sun visor a “Rollover Warning Label” alerting drivers that particular handling and maneuvering 

characteristics of utility vehicles require special driving practices. The purpose is to inform 

consumers that utility vehicles have a higher possibility of rollover than other vehicle types and 

advises consumers of steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of rollover an/or to reduce 

the likelihood of injury in a rollover. 

Application: 

Utility vehicles 

Subpart C: Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act; 

Consumer Information 

30
Scope and Purpose: 

This section establishes a program for rating the performance of child restraints. The agency 

makes the information developed under this rating program available through a variety of means, 

including postings on its Web site, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. 

Subpart D: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 

(SAFETEA-LU); Consumer Information 

Scope and Purpose: 

The purpose of this section is to aid potential purchasers in the selection of new passenger motor 

vehicles by providing them with safety rating information developed by NHTSA in its New Car 

Assessment Program (NCAP) testing. Manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles described in 

paragraph (b) of this section are required to include this information on the Monroney label. 

Although NHTSA also makes the information available through means such as postings at 

http://www.safercar.gov and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov, the additional Monroney label 

information is intended to provide consumers with relevant information at the point of sale. 

Application: 

This section applies to automobiles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, manufactured on or 

after September 1, 2007, that are required by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act to have 

price sticker labels (Monroney labels), e.g., passenger vehicles, station wagons, passenger vans, 

and sport utility vehicles. 

Part 576: Record Retention 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for the retention by manufacturers of motor vehicles and of 

motor vehicle equipment, of claims, complaints, reports, and other records concerning alleged 

and proven motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment defects and malfunctions that may be 

related to motor vehicle safety. The purpose of this part is to preserve records that are needed for 

the proper investigation, and adjudication or other disposition, of possible defects related to motor 

vehicle safety and instances of nonconformity to the motor vehicle safety standards and 

associated regulations. 

Application: 

This part applies to all manufacturers of motor vehicles, with respect to all records generated or 

acquired on or after August 16, 1969, and to all manufacturers of motor vehicle equipment, with 

respect to all records in their possession, generated or acquired on or after August 9, 2002. 

Part 577: Defect and Noncompliance Notification 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part sets forth requirements for manufacturer notification to owners, dealers, and distributors 

of motor vehicles and items of replacement equipment about a defect that relates to motor vehicle 

safety or a noncompliance with a Federal motor vehicle safety standard. The purpose of this part 

is to ensure that notifications of defects or non-compliances adequately inform and effectively 

motivate owners of potentially defective or non-complying motor vehicles or items of 

replacement equipment to have such vehicles or equipment inspected and, where necessary, 

remedied as quickly as possible. It is also to ensure that dealers and distributors of motor vehicles 

and items of replacement equipment are made aware of the existence of defects and noncompliances and of their rights and responsibilities with regard thereto. 

Application: 

This part applies to manufacturers of complete motor vehicles, incomplete motor vehicles, and 

replacement equipment. In the case of vehicles manufactured in two or more stages, compliance 

by either the manufacturer of the incomplete vehicle, any subsequent manufacturer, or the 

manufacturer of affected replacement equipment, shall be considered compliance by each of 

those manufacturers. 

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Part 578: Civil and Criminal Penalties 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part specifies the civil penalties for violations of statutes administered by the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as adjusted for inflation. This part also sets forth the 

requirements regarding the reasonable time and the manner of correction for a person seeking 

safe harbor protection from criminal liability. One purpose of this part is to preserve the remedial 

impact of civil penalties and to foster compliance with the law by specifying the civil penalties 

for statutory violations, as adjusted for inflation. The other purpose of this part is to set forth the 

requirements regarding the reasonable time and the manner of correction for a person seeking 

safe harbor protection from criminal liability. 

Application: 

This part applies to civil penalties for violations of Chapters 301, 305, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 

331 of Title 49 of the United States Code. This part also applies to the criminal penalty safe 

harbor provision of section 30170 of Title 49 of the United States Code. 

Part 579: Reporting of Information and Communications about Potential Defects 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part sets forth requirements for reporting information and submitting documents that may 

help identify defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal motor 

vehicle safety standards, including reports of foreign safety recalls and other safety-related 

campaigns conducted outside the United States, early warning information, and copies of 

communications about defects and non-compliances. The purpose of this part is to enhance motor 

vehicle safety by specifying information and documents that manufacturers of motor vehicles and 

motor vehicle equipment must provide to NHTSA with respect to possible safety-related defects 

and non-compliances in their products, including the reporting of safety recalls and other safety 

campaigns that the manufacturer conducts outside the United States. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment 

Part 580: Odometer Disclosure Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

The part requires a person who transfers ownership of a motor vehicle to give the transferee a 

written disclosure of the mileage the vehicle has traveled and prescribes the way the information 

is disclosed and retained. The purpose of this part is to provide purchasers of motor vehicles with 

odometer information to assist them in determining a vehicle’s condition and value by making the 

disclosure of a vehicle’s mileage, and to preserve records that are needed for the proper 

investigation of possible violations of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act and 

any subsequent prosecutorial, adjudicative or other action. 

Application: 

Person who transfers ownership of a motor vehicle 

Part 581: Bumper Standard 

Scope and Purpose: 

This standard establishes requirements for the impact resistance of vehicles in low-speed front 

and rear collisions. The purpose of this standard is to reduce physical damage to the front and rear 

ends of a passenger motor vehicle from low speed collisions. 

Application: 

Passenger motor vehicles other than multipurpose passenger vehicles- 

 

32
Part 582: Insurance Cost Information Regulation 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part requires automobile dealers to make available to prospective purchasers, without 

charge, information reflecting differences in insurance costs for different makes and models of 

passenger motor vehicles based upon differences in damage susceptibility and crashworthiness. 

The purpose of this part is to enable prospective purchasers to compare differences in auto 

insurance costs for the various makes and models of passenger motor vehicles, based upon 

differences in damage susceptibility and crashworthiness, and to realize any savings in collision 

insurance resulting from differences in damageability, and any savings in medical payment 

insurance resulting from differences in crashworthiness. 

Application: 

Automobile dealers 

Part 583: Automobile Parts Content Labeling 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for the disclosure of information relating to the countries of 

origin of the equipment of new passenger motor vehicles. The purpose of this part is to aid 

potential purchasers in the selection of new passenger motor vehicles by providing them with 

information about the value of the U.S./Canadian and foreign parts content of each vehicle, the 

countries of origin of the engine and transmission, and the site of the vehicle's final assembly. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of new passenger motor vehicles manufactured or imported for sale in the United 

States, suppliers of passenger motor vehicle equipment, and dealers of new passenger motor 

vehicles 

Part 585: Phase-in Reporting Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

Each report submitted to NHTSA under this part shall: 

(a) Identify the manufacturer; 

(b) State the full name, title, and address of the official responsible for preparing the report; 

(c) Identify the production year being reported on; 

(d) Contain a statement regarding whether or not the manufacturer complied with the 

requirements of the Federal motor vehicle safety standard addressed by the report, for the 

period covered by the report, and the basis for that statement; 

(e) Be written in the English language; and 

(f) Be submitted to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590. 

Application: 

Manufacturer’s reporting of information is affected by a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 

subject to the reporting requirements of this part. 

Part 586: [Reserved] 

Part 587: Deformable Barriers 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part describes deformable impact barriers that are to be used for testing compliance of motor 

vehicles with motor vehicle safety standards. The design and performance criteria specified in 

this part are intended to describe measuring tools with sufficient precision to give repetitive and 

correlative results under similar test conditions and to reflect adequately the protective 

performance of a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment with respect to human 

occupants 

33
Application: 

This part does not in itself impose duties or liabilities on any person. It is a description of tools 

that are used in compliance tests to measure the performance of occupant protection systems 

required by the safety standards that refer to these tools. It is designed to be referenced by, and 

become part of, the test procedures specified in motor vehicle safety standards such as Standard 

No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, and Standard No. 214, Side Impact Protection.

Part 588: Child Restraint System Recordkeeping Requirements 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes requirements for manufacturers of child restraint systems to maintain lists of 

the names and addresses of child restraint owners. The purpose of this part is to aid manufacturers 

in contacting the owners of child restraints during notification campaigns conducted in 

accordance with 49 CFR Part 577, and to aid the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

in determining whether a manufacturer has met its recall responsibilities. 

Application: 

Manufacturers of child restraint systems, except factory-installed built-in restraints 

Part 589: [Reserved] 

Part 590: [Reserved] 

Part 591: Importation of Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Federal Safety, Bumper, and 

Theft Prevention Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures governing the importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle 

equipment subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards to 

ensure that motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment permanently imported into the United 

States conform to theft prevention standards, all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 

standards, and bumper standards. 

Application: 

Importers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment 

Part 592: Registered Importers of Vehicles not Originally Manufactured to Conform to the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for the registration of importers of motor vehicles that were not 

originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. 

This part also establishes the duties of Registered Importers. The purpose of this part is to provide 

content and format requirements for persons who wish to register with the Administrator as 

importers of motor vehicles not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable Federal 

motor vehicle safety standards, to provide procedures for the registration for importers and for the 

suspension, revocation and reinstatement of registration, and to set forth the duties required of 

Registered Importers. 

Application: 

This part applies to any person who wishes to register with the Administrator as an importer of 

nonconforming vehicles, and to any person who is registered as an importer. 

 

34
Part 593: Determinations that A Vehicle not Originally Manufactured to Conform to the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Is Eligible for Importation 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes procedures for making determinations whether a vehicle that was not 

originally manufactured to conform with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, 

and is not otherwise eligible for importation under 49 CFR Part 591, may be imported into the 

United States because it can be modified to meet the Federal standards. The purpose of this part is 

to provide content and format requirements for any Registered Importer and manufacturer who 

wishes to petition the Administrator for a determination that a vehicle not originally 

manufactured to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is eligible to be 

imported into the United States because it can be modified to meet the standards. The purpose of 

this part is also to specify procedures under which the Administrator makes eligibility 

determinations pursuant to those petitions as well as eligibility determinations on the agency's 

initiative. 

Application: 

This part applies to a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured and certified by its 

original manufacturer to conform with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards and 

that is offered for importation into the United States. 

Part 594: Schedule of Fees Authorized by U.S.C. 30141 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes the fees authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141. The purposes of this part is to 

ensure that NHTSA is reimbursed for costs incurred in administering the importer registration 

program, in making determinations whether a nonconforming vehicle is eligible for importation 

into the United States, and in processing the bond furnished to the Secretary of the Treasury given 

to ensure that an imported vehicle not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable 

Federal motor vehicle safety standards is brought into compliance with the safety standards, or 

will be exported, or abandoned to the United States. 

Application: 

This part applies to any person who applies to NHTSA to be granted the status of Registered 

Importer under 49 CFR Part 592 to any person who has been granted such status, to any 

manufacturer not a Registered Importer who petitions the Administrator for a determination 

pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593, and to any person who imports a motor vehicle into the United 

States pursuant to such determination. 

Part 595: Make Inoperative Exemptions 

Scope and Purpose: 

This part establishes conditions under which the compliance of motor vehicles and motor vehicle 

equipment with the FMVSSs may be made inoperative. The purpose of this part is to provide an 

exemption from the "make inoperative" provision that permits motor vehicle dealers and motor 

vehicle repair businesses to install retrofit air bag on-off switches and to otherwise modify motor 

vehicles to enable people with disabilities to operate or ride as a passenger in a motor vehicle. 

Application: 

Dealers and motor vehicle repair businesses 

 

35
Procedures for declaring and certifying imported motor vehicles available from the: 

U. S. Department of Transportation 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance 

Import and Certification Division (NVS-223) 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

or go to following link: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ 

or call: Import and Certification Division: (202) 366-5291 

How to Obtain Copies of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations 

The “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations” Booklet, HS 808 878, is available 

through the following NHTSA office: 

U. S. Department of Transportation 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Communications and Consumer 

Information (NPO-530) 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

or go to following link: 

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standards/FMVSS-Regs/pages/Part571.htm 

or call: 

U. S. Department of Transportation

DOT Auto Safety Hotline: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) 

 

The complete text of the current version of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 

Parts 501 to 599 and all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and other NHTSA Regulations 

can be found in the following link: 

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/ 

t/text/text-idx?sid=44b9d5e9a46cbce795ee7c6b1f8fcd16&c=ecfr&tpl=/ 

ecfrbrowse/Title49/49tab_02.tpl 

_______________________________ 

36
DOT HS 811 439 

February 2011