🚍Grant of Temporary Exemption for Motorcoach Seat Belt Requirements
Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches; Grant of Petition for Temporary Exemption From Shoulder Belt Requirement for Side-Facing Seats on Motorcoaches
Summary
In accordance with our regulations, NHTSA is granting a petition from Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches for a temporary exemption from the requirement to install Type 2 seat belts (i.e., shoulder belts) at side-facing locations in the company's motorcoaches. The petitioner is a final-stage manufacturer of entertainer-type motorcoaches, seeking temporary exemption from the shoulder belt requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant crash protection," for side-facing seats on motorcoaches. The granted exemption permits the petitioner to install Type 1 seat belts (lap belt only) at side-facing seating positions, instead of the Type 2 seat belts (lap and shoulder belts) required by FMVSS No. 208. After reviewing the petition and the comments received, the agency has determined that the requested exemption is warranted to enable the petitioner to sell a vehicle whose overall level of safety or impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempted vehicle.
Agencies
- Transportation Department
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Business Impact
$$ - Med
This regulatory notice grants a temporary exemption allowing Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches to install lap belts instead of shoulder belts on side-facing seating positions in motorcoaches. This has direct implications for manufacturers by potentially reducing costs and compliance burdens, facilitating sales of their vehicles. Additionally, it indicates a precedent for future exemptions which could influence industry practices.