An Act to provide for a coordinated national safety program and establishment of safety standards for motor vehicles in interstate commerce to reduce traffic accidents and the deaths, injuries, and property damage which occur in such accidents.
PL 89-563 (S.3005), enacted 09/09/1966

718 
PUBLIC LAW 89.563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
September 9, 1966 
[S.3005] 
Public Law 89-563 
AN ACT 
To provide for a coordinated national safety program and establishment of 
safety standards for motor vehicles in interstate commerce to reduce accidents 
involving motor vehicles and to reduce the deaths and injuries occurring in 
such accidents. 
Be it encLcted hy the Senate and House of Refresentatives 
of the 
o !J^«V°*"t^7*if/^}° United States of America 
in Congress assembled. That Congress 
and Motor v e h i c l e 
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Safety Act o
f 1966. hereby declares that the purpose ot this Act is to reduce traffic acci-
dents and deaths and injuries to persons resulting from traffic acci-
dents. Therefore, Congress determines that it is necessary to establish 
motor vehicle safety standards for motor vehicles and equipment in 
interstate commerce; to undertake and support necessary safety 
research and development; and to expand the national driver register. 
TITLE I—MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 
Short title. 
SEC. 101. This Act may be cited as the "National Traffic and Motor 
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966". 
Definitions. 
SEC. 102. As used in this title— 
(1) "Motor vehicle safety" means the performance of motor vehicles 
or motor vehicle equipment in such a manner that the public is pro-
tected against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring as a result of 
the design, construction or performance of motor vehicles and is also 
protected against unreasonable risk of death or injury to persons in the 
event accidents do occur, and includes nonoperational safety of such 
vehicles. 
(2) "Motor vehicle safety standards" means a minimum standard 
for motor vehicle performance, or motor vehicle equipment perform-
ance, which is practicable, which meets the need for motor vehicle 
safety and which provides objective criteria. 
(3) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle driven or drawn by mechan-
ical power manufactured primarily for use on the public streets, 
roads, and highways, except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail 
or rails. 
(4) "Motor vehicle equipment" means any system, part, or com-
ponent of a motor vehicle as originally manufactured or any similar 
part or component manufactured or sold for replacement or improve-
ment of such system, part, or component or as an accessory, or addition 
to the motor vehicle. 
(5) "Manufacturer" means any person engaged in the manufac-
turing or assembling of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment, 
including any person importing motor vehicles or motor vehicle equip-
ment for resale. 
(6) "Distributor" means any person primarily engaged in the sale 
and distribution of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for 
resale. 
(7) "Dealer" means any person who is engaged in the sale and 
distribution of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment pri-
marily to purchasers who in good faith purchase any such vehicle 
or equipment for purposes other than resale. 
(8) "State" includes each of the several States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin 
Islands, the Canal Zone, and American Samoa. 
(9) "Interstate commerce" means commerce between any place in a 
State and any place in another State, or between places in the same 
State through another State. 
(10) "Secretary" means Secretary of Commerce. 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
719 
(11) "Defect" includes any defect in performance, construction, 
components, or materials in motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment. 
(12) "United States district courts" means the Federal district 
courts of the United States and the United States courts of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, 
and American Samoa. 
(13) "Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission" means the Commis-
sion established pursuant to the joint resolution of the Congress relat-
ing to highway traffic safety, approved August 20,1958 (72 Stat. 635), 
or as it may be hereafter reconstituted by law. 
SEC. 103. (a) The Secretary shall establish by order appropriate 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Each such Federal motor 
vehicle safety standard shall be practicable, shall meet the need for 
motor vehicle safety, and shall be stated in objective terms. 
(b) The Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to all orders 
establishing, amending, or revoking a Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard under this title. 
(c) Each order establishing a Federal motor vehicle safety standard 
shall specify the date such standard is to take effect which shall not be 
sooner than one hundred and eighty days or later than one year from 
the date such order is issued, unless the Secretary finds, for good cause 
shown, that an earlier or later effective date is in the public interest, 
and publishes his reasons for such finding. 
(d) Whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard established 
under this title is in effect, no State or political subdivision of a 
State shall have any authority either to establish, or to continue in 
eft'ect, with respect to any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle 
equipment any safety standard applicable to the same aspect of per-
formance of such vehicle or item of equipment which is not identi-
cal to the Federal standard. 
Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued to prevent the Federal Government or the government of any 
State or political subdivision thereof from establishing a safety 
requirement applicable to motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment 
procured for its own use if such requirement imposes a higher stand-
ard of performance than that required to comply with the otherwise 
applicable Federal standard. 
(e) The Secretary may by order amend or revoke any Federal 
motor vehicle safety standard established under this section. 
Such 
order shall specify the date on which such amendment or revocation 
is to take effect which shall not be sooner than one hundred and 
eighty days or later than one year from the date the order is issued, 
unless the Secretary finds, for good cause shown, that an earlier 
or later effective date is in the public interest, and publishes his rea-
sons for such finding. 
(f) In prescribing standards under this section, the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) consider relevant available motor vehicle safety data, 
including the results of research, development, testing and evalua-
tion activities conducted pursuant to this Act; 
(2) consult with the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, 
and such other State or interstate agencies (including legislative 
committees) as he deems appropriate; 
(3) consider whether .any such proposed standard is reasonable, 
practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor 
vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is pre-
scribed; and 
(4) consider the extent to which such standards will contribute 
to carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
23 u s e 313 
note. 
Standards. 
60 Stat. 237. 
5 u s e 10 01 
note. 
Effective date. 
Revocation, 
720 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
Dual standards, 
prohibition, 
49 Stat. 543; 
54 Stat. 919. 
74 Stat. 808. 
National Motor 
Vehicle Safety 
Advisory Coun-
cil, establishment. 
Compensf.tion 
of members. 
60 Stat. 808; 
75 Stat. 339, 
340. 
Judicial re-
view. 
72 Stat. 941. 
Modification of 
findings. 
(g) In prescribing safety regulations covering motor vehicles sub-
ject to part I I of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended (49 U.S.G. 
301 et seq.), or the Transportation of Explosives Act, .as amended (18 
U.S.C. 831-835), the Interstate Commerce Commission shall not adopt 
or continue in effect any safety regulation which differs from a motor 
vehicle safety standard issued by the Secretary under this title, except 
that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit the Inter-
state Commerce Commission from prescribing for any motor vehicle 
operated by a carrier subject to regulation under either or both of 
such Acts, a safety regulation which imposes a higher standard of 
performance subsequent to its manufacture than that required to com-
ply with the applicable Federal standard at the time of manufacture. 
(h) The Secretary shall issue initial Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards based upon existing safety standards on or before January 
31, 1967. On or before January 31j 1968, the Secretary shall issue 
new and revised Federal motor vehicle safety standards under this 
title. 
SEC. 104. (a) The Secretary shall establish a National Motor 
Vehicle Safety Advisory Council, a majority of which shall be repre-
sentatives of the general public, including representatives of State and 
local governments, and the remainder shall include representatives of 
motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, 
and motor vehicle dealers. 
(b) The Secretary shall consult with the Advisory Council on 
motor vehicle safety standards under this Act. 
(c) Members of the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Coun-
cil may be compensated at a rate not to exceed $100 per diem (including 
travel time) when engaged in the actual duties of the Advisory Coun-
cil. 
Such members, while away from their homes or regular places of 
business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence as authorized by section 5 of the Administrative 
Expenses Act of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 73b-2), for persons in the Government 
service employed intermittently. 
Payments under this section shall 
not render members of the Advisory Council employees or officials of 
the Linited States for any purpose. 
SEC. 105. (a)(1) In a case of actual controversy as to the validity of 
any order under section 103, any person who will be adversely affected 
by such order when it is effective may at any time prior to the sixtieth 
day after such order is issued file a petition with the United States 
court of appeals for the circuit wherein such person resides or has his 
principal place of business, for a judicial review of such order. 
A 
copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the 
court to the Secretary or other officer designated by him for that pur-
pose. The Secretary thereupon shall file in the court the record of the 
proceedings on which the Secretary based his order, as provided in 
section 2112 of title 28 of the United States Code. 
(2) If the petitioner applies to the court for leave to adduce addi-
tional evidence, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that such 
additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds 
for the failure to adduce such evidence in the proceeding before the 
Secretary, the court may order such additional evidence (and evidence 
in rebuttal thereof) to be taken before the Secretary, and to be adduced 
upon the hearing, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions 
as to the court may seem proper. 
The Secretary may modify his 
findings as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of the addi-
tional evidence so taken, and he shall file such modified or new findings, 
and his recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside 
of his original order, with the return of such additional evidence. 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
721 
(3) Upon the filing of the petition referred to in paragraph (1) 
of this subsection, the court shall have jurisdiction to review the order 
in accordance with section 10 of the Administrative Procedure Act 
(5 U.S.C. 1009) and to grant appropriate relief as provided in such 
section. 
(4) The judgment of the court affirming or setting aside, in whole 
or in part, any such order of the Secretary shall be final, subject to 
review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or 
certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28 of the United States 
Code. 
(5) Any action instituted under this subsection shall survive, not-
withstanding any change in the person occupying the office of Secre-
t ary of any vacancy in such office. 
(6) The remedies provided for in this subsection shall be in addition 
to and not in substitution for any other remedies provided by law. 
(b) A certified copy of the transcript of the record and proceedings 
under this section shall be furnished by the Secretary to any interested 
party at his request, a.nd payment of the costs thereof, and shall be 
admissible in any criminal, exclusion of imports, or other proceeding 
arising under or in respect of this title, irrespective of w^hether pro-
ceedings with respect to the order have previously been initiated or be-
come final under subsection (a). 
SEC. 106. (a) The Secretary shall conduct research, testing, devel-
opment, and training necessary to carry out the purposes of this title, 
including, but not limited to— 
(1) collecting data from any source for the purpose of deter-
mining the relationship between motor vehicle or motor vehicle 
equipment performance characteristics and (A) accidents involv-
ing motor vehicles, and (B) the occurrence of death, or personal 
injury resulting from such accidents; 
(2) procuring (by negotiation or otherwise) experimental and 
other motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for research and 
testing purposes; 
(3) selling or otherwise disposing of test motor vehicles and 
motor vehicle equipment and reimbursing the proceeds of such 
sale or disposal into the current appropriation available for the 
purpose of carrying out this title. 
(b) The Secretary is authorized to conduct research, testing, de-
velopment, and training as authorized to be carried out by subsection 
(a) of this section by making grants for the conduct of such research, 
testing, development, and training to States, interstate agencies, and 
nonprofit institutions. 
(c) Whenever the Federal contribution for any research or develop-
ment activity authorized by this Act encouraging motor vehicle safety 
is more than minimal, the Secretary shall include in any contract, 
grant, or other arrangement for such research or development activity, 
provisions effective to insure that all information, uses, processes, 
patents, and other developments resulting from that activity will be 
made freely and fully available to the general public. Nothing herein 
shall be construed to deprive the owner of any background patent of 
any right Avhich he may have thereunder. 
SEC. 107. The Secretary is authorized to advise, assist, and cooperate 
with, other Federal departments and agencies, and State and other in-
terested public and private agencies, in the planning and development 
of— 
(1) motor vehicle safety standards; 
(2) methods for inspecting and testing to determine compliance 
witli motor vehicle safety standards. 
60 Stat. 243. 
6 2 Stat. 9 28. 
Research and 
training, etc. 
Grants. 
Cooperation. 
722 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
Used motor ve-
hicles, state in-
spection. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Importation. 
SEC. 108. (a) No person shall— 
(1) manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or 
deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the 
United States, any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equip-
ment manufactured on or after the date any applicable Federal 
motor vehicle safety standard takes effect under this title unless 
it is in conformity with such standard except as provided in 
subsection (b) of this section; 
(2) fail or refuse access to or copying of records, or fail to 
make reports or provide information, or fail or refuse to permit 
entry or mspection, as required under section 112; 
(3) fail to issue a certificate required by section 114, or issue a 
certificate to the effect that a motor vehicle or item of motor 
vehicle equipment conforms to all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards, if such person in the exercise of due 
care has reason to know that such certificate is false or mislead-
ing in a material respect; 
(4) fail to furnish notification of any defect as required by 
section 113. 
(b)(1) Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall not apply to the 
sale, the offer for sale, or the introduction or delivery for introduction 
in interstate commerce of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equip-
ment after the first purchase of it in good faith for purposes other 
than resale. In order to assure a continuing and effective national 
traffic safety program, it is the policy of (congress to encourage and 
strengthen the enforcement of State inspection of used motor vehicles. 
Therefore to that end the Secretary shall conduct a thorough study 
and investigation to determine the adequacy of motor vehicle safety 
standards and motor vehicle inspection requirements and pro-
cedures applicable to used motor vehicles in each State, and the effect 
of programs authorized by this title upon such standards, require-
ments, and procedures for used motor vehicles, and report to Congress 
as soon as practicable but not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this title, the results of such study, and recommenda-
tions for such additional legislation as he deems necessary to carry 
out the purposes of this Act. As soon as practicable after the sub-
mission of such report, but no later than one year from the date of 
submission of such report, the Secretary, after consultation with the 
Council and such interested public and private agencies and groups 
as he deems advisable, shall establish uniform Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards applicable to all used motor vehicles. Such stand-
ards shall be expressed in terms of motor vehicle safety performance. 
The Secretary is authorized to amend or revoke such standards pur-
suant to this Act. 
(2) Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall not apply to any person 
who establishes that he did not have reason to know in the exercise of 
due care that such vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment is not 
in conformity with applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, 
or to any person who, prior to such first purchase, holds a certificate 
issued by the manufacturer or importer of such motor vehicle or motor 
vehicle equipment, to the effect that such vehicle or equipment con-
forms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, unless 
such person knows that such vehicle or equipment does not so conform. 
(3) A motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment offered for 
importation in violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall be 
refused admission into the United States under joint regulations issued 
by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary; except that the 
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary may, by such regulations, 
provide for authorizing the importation of such motor vehicle or item 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
723 
of motor vehicle equipment into the United States upon such terms 
and conditions (including the furnishing of a bond) as may appear 
to them appropriate to insure that any such motor vehicle or item 
of motor vehicle equipment will be brought into conformity with any 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under 
this title, or will be exported or abandoned to the United States, 
(4) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary may, by joint 
regulations, permit the temporary importation of any motor vehicle 
or item of motor vehicle equipment after the first purchase of it in good 
faith for purposes other than resale. 
(5) Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a 
motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment intended solely for 
export, and so labeled or tagged on the vehicle or item itself and on 
the outside of the container, if any, which is exported. 
(c) Compliance with any Federal motor vehicle safety standard 
issued under this title does not exempt any person from any liability 
under common law. 
SEC. 109. (a) Whoever violates any provision of section 108, or any 
violations. 
regulation issued thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not 
to exceed $1,000 for each such violation. 
Such violation of a pro-
vision of section 108, or regulations issued thereunder, shall constitute 
a separate violation with respect to each motor vehicle or item of 
motor vehicle equipment or with respect to each failure or refusal to 
allow or perform an act required thereby, except that the maximum 
civil penalty shall not exceed $400,000 for any related series of 
violations. 
(b) Any such civil penalty may be compromised by the Secretai-y. 
In determining the amount of such penalty, or the amount agreed 
upon in compromise, the appropriateness of such penalty to tlie size 
of the business of the person charged and the gravity of the violation 
shall be considered. 
The amount of such penalty, when finally deter-
mined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted 
from any sums owing b^ the United States to the i)erson charged. 
SEC, 110. (a) The United States district courts shall have jurisdic- 
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1 courts, jurisdic-
tion, tor cause shown and subject to the provisions of rule 65 (a) and tion. 
(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to restrain violations of 
^^ ^^^ ^^P* 
this title, or to restrain the sale, offer for sale, or the introduction or 
delivery for introduction, in interstate commerce, or the importation 
into the United States, of any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle 
equipment which is determined, prior to the first purchase of such 
vehicle in good faith for purposes other than resale, not to conform 
to applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards prescribed pur-
suant to this title, upon petition by the appropriate United States 
attorney or the Attorney General on behalf of the United States. 
Whenever practicable, the Secretary shall give notice to any person 
against whom an action for injunctive relief is contemplated and 
afford him an opportunity to present his views, and, except in the case 
of a knowing and willful violation, shall afford him reasonable oppor-
tunity to achieve compliance. 
The failure to give such notice and 
afford such opportunity shall not preclude the granting of appropriate 
relief. 
(b) In any proceeding for criminal contempt for violation of an in-
junction or restraining order issued under this section, which viola-
tion also constitutes a violation of this title, trial shall be by the court 
or, upon demand of the accused, by a jury. Such trial shall be con-
ducted in accordance with the practice and procedure applicable in 
the case of proceedings subject to the provisions of rule 42(b) of the 
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. 
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724 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
(c) Actions under subsection (a) of this section and section 109(a) 
of this title may be brought in the district wherein any act or trans-
action constituting the violation occurred, or in the district wherein 
the defendant is found or is an inhabitant or transacts business, and 
process in such cases may be served in any other district of which 
the defendant is an inliabitant or wherever the defendant may be 
found. 
(d) In any actions brought under subsection (a) of this section and 
section 109(a) of this title, subpoenas for witnesses who are required to 
attend a United States district court may run into any other district. 
importatiw''^' 
(e) It shall be the duty of every manufacturer offering a motor 
Service o
f proc- veliicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for importation into the 
of a' ^^j'^^'^°" 
United States to designate in writing an agent upon whom service of 
all administrative and judicial processes, notices, orders, decisions 
and requirements may be made for and on behalf of said manufacturer, 
and to file such designation with the Secretary, which designation may 
from time to time be changed by like writing, similarly filed. 
Service 
of all administrative and judicial processes, notices, orders, decisions 
and requirements may be made upon said manufacturer by service upon 
such designated agent at his office or usual place of residence with like 
effect as if made personally upon said manufacturer, and in default of 
such designation of such agent, service of process, notice, order, 
I'equirement or decision in any proceeding before the Secretary or in 
any judicial proceeding for enforcement of this title or any standards 
prescribed pursuant to this title may be made by posting such process, 
notice, order, requirement or decision in the Office of the Secretary. 
Noncompliance. 
^^c. 111. (a) If ally motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equip-
ment is determined not to conform to applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards, or contains a defect which relates to motor vehicle 
safety, after the sale of such vehicle or item of equipment by a manu-
facturer or a distributor to a distributor or a dealer and prior to the 
sale of such veliicle or item of equipment by such distributor or dealer: 
(1) The manufacturer or distributor, as the case may be, shall 
immediately repurchase such vehicle or item of motor vehicle 
equipment from such distributor or dealer at the price paid by 
such distributor or dealer, plus all transportation charges involved 
and a reasonable reimbursement of not less than 1 per centum per 
month of svicli price paid prorated from the date of notice of such 
nonconformance to the date of repurchase by the manufacturer or 
distributor; or 
(2) In the case of motor vehicles, the manufacturer or distribu-
tor, as the case may be, at his own expense, shall immediately 
furnish the purchasing distributor or dealer the required con-
forming part or parts or equipment for installation by the dis-
tributor or dealer on or in such vehicle and for the installation 
involved the manufacturer shall reimburse such distributor or 
dealer for the reasonable value of such installation plus a reason-
able reimbursement of not less than 1 per centum per month of 
the manufacturer's or distributor's selling price prorated from 
the date of notice of such nonconformance to the date such vehicle 
is brought into conformance with applicable Federal standards: 
Provided, however, That the distributor or dealer proceeds with 
reasonable diligence with the installation after the required part, 
parts or equipment are received. 
(b) In the event any manufacturer or distributor shall refuse to 
comply with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsec-
tion (a), then the distributor or dealer, as the case may be, to whom 
such nonconforming vehicle or equipment has been sold may bring suit 
against such manufacturer or distributor in any district court of the 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
725 
United States in the district in which said manufacturer or distributor 
resides, or is found, or has an agent, without respect to the amount in 
controversy, and shall recover the damage by him sustained, as well as 
all court costs plus reasonable attorneys' fees. Any action brought 
pursuant to this section shall be forever barred unless commenced 
within three years after the cause of action shall have accrued. 
(c) The value of such installations and such reasonable reimburse-
ments as specified in subsection (a) of this section shall be fixed by 
mutual agreement of the parties, or failing such agreement, by the 
court pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. 
SEC. 112. (a) The Secretary is authorized to conduct such inspec- 
inspection. 
tion and investigation as may be necessary to enforce Federal vehicle 
safety standards established under this title. He shall furnish the 
Attorney General and, when appropriate, the Secretary of the Treas-
ury any information obtained indicating noncompliance with such 
standards, for appropriate action. 
(b) For purposes of enforcement of this title, officers or employees 
duly designated by the Secretary, upon presenting appropriate cre-
dentials and a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, 
are authorized (1) to enter, at reasonable times, any factory, ware-
house, or establishment in which motor vehicles or items of motor 
vehicle equipment are manufactured, or held for introduction into 
interstate commerce or are held for sale after such introduction; and 
(2) to inspect, at reasonable times and within reasonable limits and 
in a reasonable manner, such factory, warehouse, or establishment. 
Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reason-
able promptness. 
(c) Everj' manufacturer of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equip- requTreJife^nVJf 
"^ 
ment shall establish and maintain such records, make such reports, 
and provide such information as the Secretary may reasonably require 
to enable him to determine whether such manufacturer has acted or is 
acting in compliance with this title and motor vehicle safety Standards 
prescribed pursuant to this title and shall, upon request of an officer 
or employee duly designated by the Secretary, permit such officer or 
employee to inspect appropriate books, papers, records, and documents 
relevant to determinmg whether such manufacturer has acted or is 
acting in compliance with this title and motor vehicle safety standards 
prescribed pursuant to this title. 
(d) Every manufacturer of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equip-
ment shall provide to the Secretary such performance data and other 
technical data related to performance and safety as may be required 
to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
The Secretary is authorized to 
require the manufacturer to give such notification of such performance 
and technical data at the time of original purchase to the first person 
who purchases a motor vehicle or item of equipment for purposes 
other than resale, as he determines necessary to carry out the purposes 
of this Act. 
(e) All information reported to or otlierwise obtained by the Secre-
tary or his representative ])ursuant to subsection (b) or (c) which 
information contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter 
referred to in section 1905 of title 18 of the TTnited States Code, 
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shall be considered confidential for the purpose of that section, except 
that such information may be disclosed to other officers or employees 
concerned with carrying cut this title or when relevant in any pro-
ceeding under this title. Nothing in this section shall authorize the 
withholding of information by the Secretaiy or any officer or 
employee under his control, from tlie duly authorized committees 
of the Congress. 
SEC. 113. (a) Every manufacturer of motor vehicles shall furnish de^fecV.'''^*'°" °^ 
notification of any defect in any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equip-
726 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
Notification by 
certified mail. 
62 Stat. 791. 
Certification of 
vehicle or equip-
ment. 
nient produced by such manufacturer which he determines, in ^ood 
faith, relates to motor vehicle safety, to the purchaser (where known 
to the manufacturer) of such motor vehicle or motor vehicle equip-
ment, within a reasonable time after such manufacturer has discovered 
such defect. 
(b) The notitication required by subsection (a) shall be accom-
plished— 
(1) by certified mail to the Hrst purchaser (not includinj>j any 
dealer of such manufacturer) of the motor vehicle or motor 
vehicle equipment containing such a defect, and to any subse-
quent purchaser to whom has been transferred any warranty on 
such motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment; and 
(2) by certified mail or other more expeditious means to the 
dealer or dealers of such manufacturer to whom such motor 
vehicle or equipment was delivered. 
(c) The notification required by subsection (a) shall ccmtain a 
clear description of such defect, an evaluation of the risk to traffic 
safety reasonably related to such defect, and a statement of the meas-
ures to be taken to repair such defect. 
(d) Pjvery manufacturer of motor vehicles shall furnish to the Sec-
retary a true or representative copy of all notices, bulletins, and other 
communications to the dealers of such manufacturer or purchasers 
of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment of such manufacturer 
regarding^ any defect in such vehicle or equipment sold or serviced by 
such dealer. The Secretary shall disclose so much of the information 
contained in such notice or other information obtained under section 
112(a) to the public as he deems will assist in carrying out the pur-
poses of this Act, but he shall not disclose any information which con-
tains or relates to a trade secret or other matter referred to in section 
1905 of title 18 of the United States Code unless he determines that 
it is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
(e) If through testing, inspection, investigation, or research carried 
out pursuant to this title, or examination of reports pursuant to sub-
section (d) of this section, or otherwise, the Secretary determines that 
any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment— 
(1) does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standard prescribed pursuant to section 103; or 
(2) contains a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety; 
then he shall immediately notify the manufacturer of such motor 
vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment of such defect or failure to 
comply. The notice shall contain the findings of the Secretary and 
shall include all information upon which the findings are based. The 
Secretary shall afford such manufacturer an opportunity to present 
his views and evidence in support thereof, to establish that there is no 
failure of compliance or that the alleged defect does not affect motor 
vehicle safety. If after such presentation by the manufacturer the 
Secretary determines that such vehicle or item of equipment does not 
comply with applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, or 
contains a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety, the Secretary 
shall direct the manufacturer to furnish the notification specified in 
subsection (c) of this section to the .purchaser of such motor vehicle 
or item of motor vehicle equipment as provided in subsections (a) and 
(b) of this section. 
SEC. 114. Every manufacturer or distributor of a motor vehicle or 
motor vehicle equipment shall furnish to the distributor or dealer at 
the time of delivery of such vehicle or equipment by such manufacturer 
or distributor the certification that each such vehicle or item of motor 
vehicle equipment conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards. In the case of an item of motor vehicle equipment 
National Traffic 
Safety Agency, 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
727 
such certification may be in the form of a label or tag on such item or 
on the outside of a container in which such item is delivered. 
In the 
I'ase of a motor vehicle such certification shall be in the form of a label 
or tag permanently affixed to such motor vehicle. 
SEC. 115. The Secretary shall carry out the provisions of this Act 
through a National Traffic Safety Agency (hereinafter referred to as estabiisifment 
the "Agency"), which he shall establish in the Department of Com-
merce. The Agency shall be headed by a Traffic Safety Administrator 
vv'ho shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, and shall be compensated at the rate prescribed 
for level V of the Federal Executive Salary Schedule established by 
the Federal Executive Salary Act of 1961. The Administrator shall 
5Vsc'22n'.' 
be a citizen of the United States, and shall be appointed with due regard 
for his fitness to discharge efficiently the powers and the duties dele-
gated to him pursuant to this Act. 
The Administrator shall perform 
such duties as are delegated to him by the Secretary. 
SEC. 116. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to exempt from 
ihe antitrust laws of the United States any conduct that would other-
wise be unlawful under such laws, or to prohibit under the antitrust 
laws of the L^nited States any conduct that would be lawful under 
such laws. 
SEC. 117. (a) The Act entitled ''An Act to provide that hydraulic 
BrTe^f!uid. 
brake fluid sold or shipped in commerce for use in motor vehicles shall 
meet certain specifications prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce'', 
approved September 5, 1962 (76 Stat. 437; Public Law 87-637), and ^3^^^^^ ^^oi-
the Act entitled "An Act to provide that seat belts sold or shipped in 
sekt belts, 
interstate commerce for use in motor vehicles shall meet certain safety 
standards", approved December 13, 1963 (77 Stat. 361; Public Law 
88-201), are hereby repealed. 
(b) Whoever, prior to the date of enactment of this section, know-
ingly and willfully violates any provision of law repealed by sub-
section (a) of this section, shall be punished in accordance with the 
provisions of such laws as in effect on the date such violation occurred. 
, (c) All standards issued under authority of the laws repealed by 
subsection (a) of this section which are in efl'ect at the time this 
section takes effect, shall continue in effect as if they had been effec-
tively issued under section 103 until amended or revoked by the 
Secretary, or a court of competent jurisdiction by operation of law. 
(d) Any proceeding relating to any provision of law repealed by 
subsection (a) of this section which is pending at the time this section 
takes effect shall be continued by the Secretary as if this section had 
not been enacted, and orders issued in any such proceeding shall 
continue in effect as if they had been effectively issued under section 
103 until amended or revoked by the Secretary in accordance with this 
title, or by operation of law. 
(e) The repeals made by subsection (a) of this section shall not 
savings provi-
affect any suit, action, or other proceeding lawfully commenced prior 
to the date this section takes effect, and all such suits, actions, and 
l)roceedings, shall be continued, proceedings therein had, appeals 
therein taken, and judgments therein rendered, in the same manner 
and with the same effect as if this section had not been enacted. 
No 
suit, action, or other proceeding lawfully commenced by or against 
any agency or officer of the United States in relation to the discharge 
of official duties under any provision of law repealed by subsection 
(a) of this section shall abate by reason of such repeal, but the court, 
upon motion or supplemental petition filed at any time within 12 
months after the date of enactment of this section showing the neces-
sity for the survival of such suit, action, or other proceeding to obtain 
15 use 132 1-
1323. 
728 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
a settlement of the questions involved, may allow the same to be main-
tained. 
SEC. 118. The Secretary, in exercising the authority under this title, 
shall utilize the services, research and testing facilities of public agen-
cies to the maximum extent practicable in order to avoid duplication. 
Regulations. 
g^,^^ ^19. The Sccrctary is authorized to issue, amend, and revoke 
such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out this title. 
co^^^esV° 
^^^' ^^^' (^) ^^^ Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Presi-
dent for transmittal to the Congress on March 1 of each year a compre-
hensive report on the administration of this Act for the preceding 
calendar year. Such report shall include but not be restricted to (1) 
a thorough statistical compilation of the accidents and injuries oc-
curring in such year; (2) a list of Federal motor vehicle safety stand-
ards prescribed or in effect in such year; (3) the degree of observance 
of applicable Federal motor vehicle standards; (4) a summary of all 
current research grants and contracts together with a description of 
the problems to be considered by such grants and contracts; (5) an 
analysis and evaluation, including relevant policy recommendations, 
of research activities completed and technological progress achieved 
during such year; and (6) the extent to which technical information 
was disseminated to the scientific community and consumer-oriented 
information was made available to the motoring public. 
(b) The report required by subsection (a) of this section shall con-
tain such recommendations for additional legislation as the Secretary 
deems necessary to promote cooperation among the several States in 
the improvement of traffic safety and to strengthen the national traffic 
safety program. 
Appropriations. 
g^^^ -^^i^ (a) There is authorized to be appropriated for the purpose 
of carrying out the provisions of this title, other than those related to 
tire safety, not to exceed $11,000,000 for fiscal year 1967, $17,000,000 
for fiscal'year 1968, and $23,000,000 for the fiscal year 1969. 
(b) There is authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of 
carrying out the provisions of this title related to tire safety and title 
II, not to exceed $2,900,000 for fiscal year 1967, and $1,450,000 per 
fiscal year for the fiscal years 1968 and 1969. 
Effective date. 
g^,^^ -j22. The provisious of this title for certification of motor 
vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment shall take effect on the 
effective date of the first standard actually issued under section 103 
of this title. 
TITLE II—TIRP] SAFETY 
Labeling. 
gj,(._ 201. lu all Standards for pneumatic tires established under 
title I of this Act, the Secretary shall require that tires subject thereto 
be permanently and conspicuously labeled with such safety informa-
tion as he determines to be necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
Act. 
Such labeling shall include— 
(1) suitable identification of the manufacturer, or in the case 
of a retreaded tire suitable identification of the retreader, unless 
the tire contains a brand name other than the name of the manu-
facturer in which case it shall also contain a code mark which 
would permit the seller of such tire to identify the manufacturer 
thereof to the purchaser upon his request. 
(2) the composition of the material used in the ply of the tire. 
(3) the actual number of plies in the tire. 
(4) the maximum permissible load for the tire. 
(5) a recital that the tire conforms to Federal minimum safe 
l)erformance standards, except that in lieu of such recital the 
Secretary may prescribe an appropriate mark or symbol for use 
by those manufacturers or retreaders who comply with such 
standards. 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
729 
The Secretary may require that additional safety related information 
be disclosed to the purchaser of a tire at the time of sale of the tire. 
SEC. 202. In standards established under title I of this Act the Secre-
tary shall require tliat each motor vehicle be equipped by the manu-
facturer or by the purchaser thereof at the time of the first purchase 
thereof in good faith for purposes other than resale with tires which 
meet the maximum permissible load standards when such vehicle is 
fully loaded with the maximum number of passengers it is designed 
to carry and a reasonable amount of luggage. 
SEC. 203. In order to assist the consumer to make an informed 
"
^
'
"
"
^ standards. 
choice in the purchase of motor vehicle tires, w^ithin two years after 
the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall, through standards 
established under title I of this Act, prescribe by order, and publish 
in the Federal Register, a uniform quality grading system for motor 
vehicle tires. 
Such order shall specify the date such system is to take 
effect which shall not be sooner than one hundred and eighty days or 
later than one year from the date such order is issued, unless the 
Secretary finds, for good cause shown, that an earlier or later effective 
date is in the public interest, and publishes his reasons for such finding. 
The Secretary shall also cooperate with industry and the Federal 
Trade Commission to the maximum extent practicable in efforts to 
eliminate deceptive and confusing tire nomenclature and marketing 
practices. 
SEC. 204. (a) No person shall sell, offer for sale, or introduce for 
sale or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, any tire or 
motor vehicle equipped with any tire which has been regrooved, except 
that the Secretary may by order permit the sale of regrooved tires and 
motor vehicles equipped with regrooved tires which he finds are 
designed and constructed in a manner consistent with the purposes of 
this Act. 
(b) Violations of this section shall be subject to civil penalties and 
injunction in accordance with sections 109 and 110 of this Act. 
(c) For the purposes of this section the term "regrooved tire" means . "Rf grooved 
a tire on which a new^ tread has been produced by cutting into the 
tread of a worn tire. 
SEC. 205. In the event of any conflict between the requirements of 
orders or regulations issued by the Secretary under this title and title I 
of this Act applicable to motor vehicle tires and orders or adminis-
trative interpretations issued by the Federal Trade Commission, the 
provisions of orders or regulations issued by the Secretary shall 
prevail. 
TITLE III—ACCIDENT AND INJURY RESEARCH AND 
TEST FACILITY 
SEC. 301. The Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized to make 
a complete investigation and study of the need for a facility or facilities 
to conduct research, development, and testing in traffic safety (includ-
ing but not limited to motor vehicle and highway safety) authorized 
by law, and research, development, and testing relating to the safety 
of machinery used on highways or in connection with the maintenance 
of highways (with particular emphasis on tractor safety) as he deems 
appropriate and necessary. 
SEC. 302. Tlie Secretary shall report the results of his investigation ^ Report to 
and study to Congress not later than December 31,1967. 
Such report 
shall include but not be limited to (1) an inventory of existing capa-
bilities, equipment, and facilities, either publicly or privately owned or 
operated, wliich could be made available for use by the Secretary in 
carrying out the safety research, development, and testing referred to 
730 
PUBLIC LAW 89-563-SEPT. 9, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
in section 301, (2) recommendations as to the site or sites for any 
recommended facility or facilities, (3) preliminary plans, specifica-
tions, and drawings for such recommended facility or facilities (includ-
ing major research, development, and testing equipment), and (4) the 
estimated cost of the recommended sites, facilities, and equipment. 
Appropriation. 
gj,^. 393^ There is hereby authorized to be appropriated not to exceed 
$3,000,000 for the investigation, study, and report authorized by 
this title. Any funds so appropriated shall remain available until 
expended. 
TITLE IV—NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER 
SEC. 401. The Act entitled "An Act to provide for a register in the 
Department of Commerce in which shall be listed the names of certain 
persons who have had their motor vehicle operator's licenses revoked", 
approved July 14,1960, as amended (74 Stat. 526; 23 U.S.C. 313 not©), 
is hereby amended to read as follows: "That the Secretary of Com-
merce shall establish and maintain a register identifying each indi-
vidual reported to him by a State, or political subdivision thereof, as 
an individual with respect to whom such State or political subdivision 
has denied, terminated, or temporarily withdrawn (except a with-
drawal for less thn six months based on a series of nonmoving viola-
tions) an individual's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle. 
"SEO. 2. Only at the request of a State, a political subdivision 
thereof, or a Federal department or .agency, shall the Secretary fur-
nish information contained in the register established under the first 
section of this Act, and such information shall be furnished only to 
the requesting party and only with respect to an individual applicant 
for a motor vehicle operator's license or permit. 
"SEO. 3. As used in this Act, the term 'State' includes each of the 
several States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of 
Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, and American 
Samoa." 
Approved September 9, 1966, 1:10 p.m.