🚗Volkswagen's Petition for Exemption from Noncompliance Decision
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2018-2024 Audi SQ5, MY 2021-2024 Audi SQ5 Sportback, MY 2018-2024 Audi Q5, and MY2021-2024 Audi Q5 Sportback do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems. Volkswagen filed a noncompliance report dated August 9, 2024, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA (the "Agency") on August 30, 2024, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of Volkswagen's petition.
Learn More🚛PACCAR Petitions NHTSA for Exemption on Vehicle Safety Compliance
PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2022-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems. PACCAR filed a noncompliance report dated December 17, 2024, and amended the report on January 14, 2025. PACCAR petitioned NHTSA (the "Agency") on January 9, 2025, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of PACCAR's petition.
Learn More🚚Withdrawal of Proposed Speed-Limiting Regulations by FMCSA & NHTSA
FMCSA and NHTSA withdraw the September 7, 2016 joint NPRM that proposed to require that heavy vehicles (those with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds)) be equipped with a speed limiting device that is maintained at a set speed. FMCSA also withdraws its May 4, 2022 ANSPRM, which announced FMCSA's intent to proceed with a speed limiter rulemaking. The ANSPRM stated that FMCSA was preparing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to propose that motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight or GVWR of at least 11,794 kilograms (26,001 pounds), whichever is greater, and that are equipped with an engine control unit (ECU) capable of governing the maximum speed, be required to limit the CMV to a speed to be determined by the rulemaking and to maintain that ECU setting for the service life of the vehicle. In light of significant policy and safety concerns and continued data gaps that create considerable uncertainty about the estimated costs, benefits, and other impacts of the proposed rule, FMCSA and NHTSA have decided to withdraw the proposal.
Learn More🚐NHTSA Grants Mercedes-Benz Petition for Inconsequential Noncompliance
Mercedes-Benz AG (MBAG) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) (collectively, "Mercedes-Benz") a subsidiary of Daimler AG have determined that certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and MY 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 5,536 Kilograms (10,000 Pounds) or Less. Daimler Vans USA LLC, on behalf of Mercedes-Benz filed a noncompliance report dated July 15, 2020. Mercedes-Benz subsequently petitioned NHTSA on August 6, 2020, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces the grant of Mercedes-Benz's petition.
Learn More🚌Exemption Notice for Motorcoach Seat Belt Requirements
In accordance with our regulations, NHTSA is granting 13 petitions for renewal of temporary exemptions from the requirement to install Type 2 seat belts (i.e., shoulder belts) at side-facing seats on motorcoaches. The 13 petitioners are final-stage manufacturers of entertainer-type motorcoaches, seeking temporary exemptions from the shoulder belt requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant crash protection," for side-facing seats. The granted exemptions permit the petitioners to continue to install Type 1 seat belts (lap belt only) at side-facing seating positions, instead of Type 2 seat belts (lap and shoulder belts) required by FMVSS No. 208. After reviewing the petitions and the comments received, the agency has determined that the requested exemption renewals are warranted to enable each petitioner to sell vehicles whose overall level of safety or impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempted vehicle.
Learn More🚧NHTSA Rescinds 1975 Environmental Procedures for Efficiency
This interim final rule rescinds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 1975 Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts from the Code of Federal Regulations because they are outdated, because they were promulgated on the basis of authorities that have been rescinded, and because the Department of Transportation has promulgated updated Department-wide National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures that will guide NHTSA's NEPA process.
Learn More🚗NHTSA Notice on Information Collection Activities for Automotive Safety
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.
Learn More🚗NHTSA Announces Temporary Enforcement Discretion for CRS Standards
This notice announces that NHTSA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213a, Child restraint systems--side impact protection until the publication of any final rule finalizing NHTSA's May 30, 2025 proposal.
Learn More🚗NHTSA Issues Interpretive Rule for CAFE Program Compliance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing this interpretive rule to set forth the agency's interpretation of the factors the agency is prohibited by law from considering when setting maximum feasible fuel economy standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and other applicable law. This rule describes NHTSA's interpretation of its authority to establish the necessary legal foundation for bringing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program into compliance with relevant statutory requirements. The rule also describes NHTSA's interpretation of its authority for a commercial medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) on-highway vehicle and work truck fuel efficiency improvement program, also establishing the necessary legal foundation for bringing that program into compliance with the law. Pending the rulemaking process for the establishment of replacement standards, NHTSA will exercise its enforcement authority with regard to all existing CAFE and MDHD standards in accordance with the interpretation set forth in this rule.
Learn More🏍️Motorcycle Helmets Labeling
NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently-approved information collection titled "Motorcycle Helmets (Labeling)" (OMB Control Number: 2127-0518). Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval on Motorcycle Helmets Labeling.
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