Interpretation ID: 77-3.28

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 07/15/77

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; J. J. Levin, Jr.; NHTSA

TO: Algus Enterprises, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This responds to your June 27, 1977, letter asking whether tires that you export for use on agricultural vehicles are required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to be labeled with the letters DOT.

The answer to your question is no, unless the tires can also be used on vehicles other than agricultural vehicles. If the tires can be so used, they must be marked with the DOT symbol and meet any Federal requirements applicable to them.

Sincerely,

ATTACH.

Algus Enterprises, Inc.

June 27, 1977

J. J. Levin -- Chief Counsel National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Dear Sir:

Your name was kindly refered to us by Mr. Casanova, in the Tire Division of the Department of Transportation, because we are in need of your assistance.

Our firm specializes in the exportation of tires. Our major market at this time is Venezuela, and we have a small problem there.

A short time back we made a shipment of Agricultural tires to one of our clients. He contacted us this morning informing us that his shipment has not allowed in the country by the government agency "COVENIN" which is responsable for verification of quality on imports to Venezuela.

The reason they objected was that the Agricultural tires did not have the letters D.O.T. on the actual tires. They do have the serial number and brand.

We informed him that Agricultural tires in the U.S. are not required to have the (D.O.T.) on them, only the registration number and tire brand are normal nomenclature on Agricultural tires.

He then informed us that the Venezuela government required a letter from the Department of Transportation confirming and explaining that Agricultural tires are not required to show the (D.O.T.) on the tire.

We respectfully request that you please send us a letter with the information they require, so that we may forward it to them.

It will supply the Venezuelan Government with proper information so that they may conduct their business properly.

In hopes that we may hear from you soon.

I remain,

Sincerely,

Gustavo R. Lima -- Vice-President

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