NHTSA Interpretation File Search
Overview
NHTSA's Chief Counsel interprets the statutes that the agency administers and the standards and regulations that it issues. Members of the public may submit requests for interpretation, and the Chief Counsel will respond with a letter of interpretation. These interpretation letters look at the particular facts presented in the question and explain the agency’s opinion on how the law applies given those facts. These letters of interpretation are guidance documents. They do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. They are intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Understanding NHTSA’s Online Interpretation Files
NHTSA makes its letters of interpretation available to the public on this webpage.
An interpretation letter represents the opinion of the Chief Counsel based on the facts of individual cases at the time the letter was written. While these letters may be helpful in determining how the agency might answer a question that another person has if that question is similar to a previously considered question, do not assume that a prior interpretation will necessarily apply to your situation.
- Your facts may be sufficiently different from those presented in prior interpretations, such that the agency's answer to you might be different from the answer in the prior interpretation letter;
- Your situation may be completely new to the agency and not addressed in an existing interpretation letter;
- The agency's safety standards or regulations may have changed since the prior interpretation letter was written so that the agency's prior interpretation no longer applies; or
- Some combination of the above, or other, factors.
Searching NHTSA’s Online Interpretation Files
Before beginning a search, it’s important to understand how this online search works. Below we provide some examples of searches you can run. In some cases, the search results may include words similar to what you searched because it utilizes a fuzzy search algorithm.
Single word search
Example: car
Result: Any document containing that word.
Multiple word search
Example: car seat requirements
Result: Any document containing any of these words.
Connector word search
Example: car AND seat AND requirements
Result: Any document containing all of these words.
Note: Search operators such as AND or OR must be in all capital letters.
Phrase in double quotes
Example: "headlamp function"
Result: Any document with that phrase.
Conjunctive search
Example: functionally AND minima
Result: Any document with both of those words.
Wildcard
Example: headl*
Result: Any document with a word beginning with those letters (e.g., headlamp, headlight, headlamps).
Example: no*compl*
Result: Any document beginning with the letters “no” followed by the letters “compl” (e.g., noncompliance, non-complying).
Not
Example: headlamp NOT crash
Result: Any document containing the word “headlamp” and not the word “crash.”
Complex searches
You can combine search operators to write more targeted searches.
Note: The database does not currently support phrase searches with wildcards (e.g., “make* inoperative”).
Example: Headl* AND (supplement* OR auxiliary OR impair*)
Result: Any document containing words that are variants of “headlamp” (headlamp, headlights, etc.) and also containing a variant of “supplement” (supplement, supplemental, etc.) or “impair” (impair, impairment, etc.) or the word “auxiliary.”
Search Tool
NHTSA's Interpretation Files Search
| Interpretations | Date |
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ID: aiam3331OpenHonorable Raphael Musto, House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515; Honorable Raphael Musto House of Representatives Washington DC 20515; Dear Mr. Musto: This responds to your letter of August 22, 1980, concerning an inquir regarding regulations for off-road vehicles, which was referred to us by Kenneth S. Birnbaum, Director, Office of Congressional Affairs, Department of Transportation. Your constituent, Mr. Steve Schwika, asked about regulations for off-road vehicles (terrane vehicles - 6 wheel).; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues both fue economy standards and Federal motor vehicle safety standards. As explained below, six-wheel terrane vehicles are not subject to fuel economy standards. However, without more detailed information concerning the vehicles, we cannot give a definitive answer as to whether Federal motor vehicle safety standards would be applicable. Nonetheless, we can provide guidelines for use in determining the status of these vehicles.; Pursuant to Title V of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost saving Act (15 U.S.C. S2001), this agency has promulgated regulations which establish the categories of motor vehicles that are subject to fuel economy standards. The regulations (49 CFR Part 523) state that fuel economy standards are applicable only to automobiles, light trucks, and automobiles capable of off-highway travel. Under the definitions set forth at 15 U.S.C. S2001 and in the regulations, fuel economy standards are only issued for four-wheeled vehicles. A six-wheel terrane vehicle would not, therefore, be subject to fuel economy standards.; Our safety standards apply to a vehicle and its manufacturer only i the vehicle qualifies as a 'motor vehicle' under the provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. Section 102(3) of the Act (15 U.S.C. S1391(3)) defines 'motor vehicle' as:; >>>any vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power manufacture primarily for use on the public streets, roads, and highways, except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails.<<<; Thus, a motor vehicle is a vehicle which the manufacturer has reason t expect will use public highways at least part of the time. We are enclosing an information sheet which gives further guidelines on which vehicles are subject to Federal motor vehicle safety standards, as well as an information sheet explaining where copies of the regulations may be obtained.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam3761OpenMr. I. A. Wuddel, Westfalische Metall Industrie KG, Hueck & Co., Postfach 28 40, 4780 Lippstadt, Germany; Mr. I. A. Wuddel Westfalische Metall Industrie KG Hueck & Co. Postfach 28 40 4780 Lippstadt Germany; Dear Mr. Wuddel: This is in reply to your letter of September 9, 1983, to August Burget of this agency. With reference to the recent amendment to Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 permitting semi-sealed replaceable bulb headlamp systems, you have asked whether a headlamp assembly would be allowed which also incorporated a European H1 or H2 bulb, 'for an auxiliary driving beam or a front fog lamp, as our customer requests it.'; It is our understanding that the H1 bulbs are commonly used in Europea lamps as the principal lighting source, and that H2 bulbs are used in high intensity supplemental front lamps. Therefore, use of one of these bulbs in a replaceable bulb headlamp would create, in effect, a system of four headlamps. The agency recently denied a petition by Volkswagen for a four- lamp system at this time using the standardized replaceable light source (copy enclosed), because of unresolved issues. We therefore are currently unable to allow a system such as you propose with the H1 or H2 bulb in a common housing with the standardized replaceable light source, creating in effect a four- lamp headlamp system. Further, paragraph S4.1.3 of Standard No. 108, prohibits the installation of additional lighting equipment which impairs the effectiveness of lighting equipment required by Standard No. 108, and there is the distinct possibility that this could occur through incorporation of the H1 and H2 bulbs.; Use of the H1 and H2 bulbs in separate and independent units fo driving or fog lamps remains permissible, subject to regulation by the individual American States, as these items are not covered by Standard No. 108.; You may be interested to know that Volkswagen of America has recentl petitioned us for rulemaking that would allow use of the H4 bulb instead of the standardized replaceable light source in replaceable bulb headlamp systems. A decision is pending whether to grant this petition.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam2873OpenMr. Hisakazu Murakami, Staff, Safety, Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., P.O. Box 1606, 560 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; Mr. Hisakazu Murakami Staff Safety Nissan Motor Company Ltd. P.O. Box 1606 560 Sylvan Avenue Englewood Cliffs NJ 07632; Dear Mr. Murakami'(sic) This is in response to your letter of August 30, 1978, concerning th application of the Part 581, *Bumper Standard*, pendulum test conditions to vehicles equipped with height control systems.; Part 581 requires that a vehicle meet the protective requirements o the standard when tested at unloaded vehicle weight, that is, without occupants or cargo and with maximum capacity of all fluids necessary for operation of the vehicle. There is no language in the pendulum test requirements of the standard which would limit their applicability to only the ignition-on or ignition-off situation or to the recommended driving position for normal roadways. The vehicle must be capable of meeting the pendulum test requirements at all stable bumper heights possible at unloaded vehicle weight.; Thus, in the situations described in Question 1 and 2 of your letter in which an automatic height control system is employed, the vehicle must comply with the pendulum test requirements in both the ignition-on and ignition-off positions, i.e., positions (1) and (2). In the situation where vehicle height can be controlled manually as described in Questions 3 and 4 of your letter, the vehicle must comply with the standard at all possible settings, i.e., positions (1), (2) and (3). The presence of a label cautioning against operation of the vehicle in other than the position recommended for normal conditions would not alter the manufacturer's responsibility for compliance. In the case of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compliance testing (Question 5), the agency will conduct its pendulum tests with the vehicle in a stable situation at unloaded vehicle weight, but may test a particular vehicle in either the ignition-on or ignition-off condition.; Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr., Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam3274OpenMr. Thomas D. Turner, Supervisor, Engineering Services Department, Blue Bird Body Company, P.O. Box 937, Fort Valley, GA 31030; Mr. Thomas D. Turner Supervisor Engineering Services Department Blue Bird Body Company P.O. Box 937 Fort Valley GA 31030; Dear Mr. Turner: This is in reply to your letter of April 14, 1980, asking for confirmation of your interpretation of Section S4.1.4 of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.; This section specifies requirements affecting school bus signal lamp 'when the bus entrance door is opened.' Blue Bird is designing an additional entrance door for its buses and you interpret S4.1.4 as requiring the same operational characteristics for the new door.; We confirm your interpretation that 'entrance door' means any entranc door on the school bus. Obviously the purpose of the requirement is not achieved if it is restricted to the traditional entrance door on the right front side of the bus and excludes any other entrance door.; Thank you for your interest in safety. Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam1249OpenMr. John Holzer, 217-18 64th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364; Mr. John Holzer 217-18 64th Avenue Bayside NY 11364; Dear Mr. Holzer: Thank you for your letter of September 7, 1973, requesting informatio concerning possible regulatory action involving plastic or glass gas filters.; Although we have no regulations concerning gasoline filters, the la under which our regulations are promulgated requires that where possible, our standards be based on performance rather than design requirements. This gives the automotive manufacturers maximum flexibility in conforming with the requirements and provides freedom to select whatever design he prefers in order to meet the requirements of the standard.; Our current fuel system requirements are contained in Federal Moto Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301, Fuel Tanks, Fuel Tank Filler Pipes and Fuel Tank Connections, which was effective January 1, 1968. A copy of this standard is enclosed for your information. We have recently issued an amendment to the standard and a proposed amendment which are intended to substantially upgrade fuel systems of motor vehicles between September 1, 1975 and September 1, 1977. Copies of these rulemaking actions are enclosed for your information (38 F.R. 22397 and 22417).; Motor vehicle manufacturers are free to choose the components an designs which they consider most appropriate to their performance requirements. It is quite possible that certain components cannot be used as original equipment because of periodic regulatory actions, for example, a manufacturer may consider a glass fuel filter hazardous when he is attempting the preservation of fuel system integrity incidental to a 20 mile-per-hour, fixed barrier collision.; We would suggest that contact be made with the automotive manufacturer and original equipment manufacturers for a more complete answer to your question.; If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate t contact us.; Sincerely, Robert L. Carter, Associate Administrator, Motor Vehicl Programs; |
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ID: aiam3624OpenMr. F. E. Bettridge, Board Chairman, Middlekauff, Inc., 1615 Ketcham Avenue, Toledo, OH 43608; Mr. F. E. Bettridge Board Chairman Middlekauff Inc. 1615 Ketcham Avenue Toledo OH 43608; Dear Mr. Bettridge: This is in reply to your letters of September 27 and October 7, 1982 concerning your wish for a temporary exemption from Standard No. 301.; In our letter of August 12, 1982, we informed you that the statemen which 49 CFR Part 568 requires an incomplete vehicle manufacturer to furnish with the vehicle affords a basis for certification without the necessity of testing. We asked you which of the statements had been provided you. Your subsequent correspondence with us does not answer this question. You refer to a print furnished you by AM General Corporation after August 12 which, with your engineering studies, leads you to believe that you may comply, but the print is extraneous to the Part 568 statement.; Therefore, we would still like to know whether AM General has provide you with a statement of specific conditions of final manufacture under which the completed vehicle will conform with Standard No. 301, or, alternatively, with a statement that the vehicle will conform if no alterations are made in certain specified components of the incomplete vehicle. Perhaps you could send us a copy of that portion of the Part 568 statement pertaining to Standard No. 301.; We shall consider your petition further when we have this information. Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam1619OpenMr. David J. Bate, Service Quality Manager, British Leyland Motors Inc., 600 Willow Tree Road, Leonia, NJ 07605; Mr. David J. Bate Service Quality Manager British Leyland Motors Inc. 600 Willow Tree Road Leonia NJ 07605; Dear Mr. Bate: We have reviewed your draft owner notification letter regarding th noncompliance of certain Jaguar 'E' Type 2+2 sedans which fail to conform to Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207. We find that your letter fails to conform to 49 CFR Part 577, 'Defect Notification' in two respects. It does not conform to section 577.4(b)(1), which specifies the content of the second sentence of each notification. We do not consider the determination that a safety related defect exists in these vehicles to have been made by the NHTSA Administrator. Such a determination can only follow proceedings held pursuant to section 113(e) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1402(e)). No such proceeding has been held in this case. The correspondence you received is directed at what we consider to be a formalized settlement of the matter, and not a formal determination proceeding. The first two sentences of your second paragraph should therefore be changed to read:; >>>'British Leyland Motors Inc., has determined that a defect whic relates to motor vehicle safety exists in a range of 1968 to 1972 Jaguar 'E' Type 2+2's. The defect results from a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207.'<<<; In addition, section 577.4(e)(1)(ii) requires the notification t contain the manufacturer's estimate of the day by which his dealers or other service facility will be supplied with corrective parts and instructions. Your letter mentions only that parts will be in the hands of distributors by a 'campaign launch date.' The information must include an estimated date by which corrective parts will be in the hands of dealers.; In other respects your letter conforms to Part 577. Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Acting Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam2936OpenClarence W. Woody, Maryland Department of Transportation, 6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062; Clarence W. Woody Maryland Department of Transportation 6601 Ritchie Highway N.E. Glen Burnie MD 21062; Dear Mr. Woody: This is in response to your letter of December 5, 1978, asking whethe the abbreviated odometer disclosure statement currently used on Maryland certificates of title may also be used on a Uniform Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. Motor vehicle manufacturers are not required to provide dealers with odometer disclosure statements for new vehicles. Section 580.5 of Title 49 specifically exempts these transactions. Therefore, since there is no Federal requirements that any odometer disclosure statement be issued, you may include the abbreviated statement on the Uniform Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. Manufacturers, however, would not be required by Federal law to complete it.; You should be interested to know that the National Highway Traffi Safety Administration will shortly issue a proposed notice of rulemaking that will allow use of the abbreviated form on all transfer of ownership documents, not merely the certificate of title.; If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write. Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr., Chief Counsel |
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ID: aiam4948OpenMr. Robert A. Rogers, Director Automotive Safety Engineering Environmental Activities Staff General Motors Corporation General Motors Technical Center 30400 Mound Road Warren, MI 48090-9015; Mr. Robert A. Rogers Director Automotive Safety Engineering Environmental Activities Staff General Motors Corporation General Motors Technical Center 30400 Mound Road Warren MI 48090-9015; "Dear Mr. Rogers: This responds to your request that this agenc determine that the new antitheft device to be installed on the MY 1992 General Motors Pontiac Bonneville line, represents a de minimis change in the system that was the basis for the agency's previous granting of a theft exemption for the car line beginning in MY 1991, and that therefore the Pontiac Bonneville vehicles containing the new device would be fully covered by that exemption. The agency has reviewed the changes to the system and for the following reasons concludes that the differences between the original system and one installed on the MY 1992 Pontiac Bonneville constitute a de minimis change. As you are aware, the Pontiac Bonneville car line was granted an exemption, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 543, from antitheft marking because General Motors showed that the antitheft device to be used in lieu of marking on the car line was likely to be as effective as parts marking. This antitheft device is known as the 'PASS-KEY' antitheft system. The exemption was issued on April 4, 1991, and appeared in the Federal Register on April 9, 1991 (56 FR 14413). As was stated in the April 1991 Federal Register notice, the 'PASS-KEY' antitheft system utilizes an ignition key, an ignition lock cylinder and a decoder module. Before a vehicle can be started, the electrical resistance of a pellet embedded in the shank of the key must be sensed by elements in the lock cylinder and its value compared to a fixed resistance in the decoder module. In your letter, it was stated that beginning from MY 1992, two design changes were made in the 'PASS-KEY' antitheft device that is standard equipment on the Pontiac Bonneville. The new system on the Bonneville is known as 'PASS-KEY II,' and differs from 'PASS-KEY' as follows. First, in 'PASS-KEY II,' if a key other than the one with proper resistance for the vehicle is inserted, the decoder module will shut down the fuel injector pulses to the engine for three minutes plus or minus eighteen seconds. In 'PASS-KEY,' this shut down period is two to four minutes. Second, if, during the time the decoder module has shut down in 'PASS-KEY II,' trial and error attempts are made to start the engine with various keys, the timer will not reset to zero, as is the case with 'PASS-KEY.' GM states that this difference in functions will provide a similar level of performance as 'PASS-KEY' since the 'PASS-KEY II' module, while shut down, will ignore further attempts to start the system by means other than use of a key with the proper resistance pellet. Any further unauthorized attempt after the initial three minute shut down time will result in the module shutting down again. After reviewing the proposed changes to the componentry and performance of the antitheft device on which the exemption was based, the agency concludes that the changes are de minimis. In addition to providing some aspects of performance not provided by the original device, 'PASS-KEY II' also continues to provide the same aspects of performance provided by the original device and relies on essentially the same componentry to provide that performance. Therefore, it is not necessary for General Motors to submit a petition to modify the exemption pursuant to 49 CFR Part 543.9(c)(2). If General Motors does not implement the new antitheft device as described in your letter for MY 1992, we request that this agency be notified of such decisions. Sincerely, Barry Felrice Associate Administrator for Rulemaking /"; |
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ID: aiam0458OpenMr. Orlando Rodriguez, Export Manager, Blue Bird Body Company, Fort Valley, GA 31030; Mr. Orlando Rodriguez Export Manager Blue Bird Body Company Fort Valley GA 31030; Dear Mr. Rodriguez: Secretary Volpe has asked me to reply to your letter of October 18 1971, concerning the applicability of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 in the territories and possessions of the United States.; The Act and the Federal motor vehicle safety standards issue thereunder apply in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, Guam, and American Samoa. Motor vehicles, including buses, manufactured for sale and imported into those areas must meet all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Only one standard applicable to buses, No. 103, *Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems*, specifically does not apply to buses manufactured for sale outside the Continental United States. There are no Federal standards applicable to school bus bodies, so that the wooden bodied buses in American Samoa, of which you spoke, are not prohibited by the Act. School buses manufactured for sale in Puerto Rico are required, however, to have a warning light system.; I hope this clarifies the matter for you. Sincerely, Douglas W. Toms, Administrator |
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Request an Interpretation
You may email your request to Interpretations.NHTSA@dot.gov or send your request in hard copy to:
The Chief Counsel
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, W41-326
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
If you want to talk to someone at NHTSA about what a request for interpretation should include, call the Office of the Chief Counsel at 202-366-2992.
Please note that NHTSA’s response will be made available in this online database, and that the incoming interpretation request may also be made publicly available.