Starting in model year 1998, all passenger cars must have dual air bags. Starting in model year 1999, all light trucks must have dual air bags. Disabling an air bag is difficult and can be dangerous.
Federal law prohibits dealers, repair shops, etc. from disabling air bags.
Further, state inspection laws may require air bags to be fully functional. This proposal will be open for comments through February 5, 1997. At the end of that period the agency will make a final decision on this proposal. Until that final decision is made, owners must follow the agency's current policy which is to grant exemptions in cases involving either a child in a rear-facing child seat who has a medical condition requiring close monitoring by the driver, or a vehicle that does not have any rear seat in which to install a child seat. Until such time when the new rules to allow dealers and repair businesses to disable air bags become effective, the agency may on a case by case basis exempt persons from the prohibition against disabling air bags if it makes a determination that the exemption is consistent with safety.