Interpretation ID: aiam1741
Secretary
Mead's East Side Wheel & Frame Co.
P.O. Box 1367
Garden City
KS 67846;
Dear Ms. Mead: This is in reply to your letter of December 6, 1974, asking whether yo must certify or recertify vehicles when you install new tag axles or extend truck frames, thereby changing the truck's gross vehicle weight rating.; NHTSA Certification regulations apply to manufacturers and alterers o new vehicles. A new vehicle is a vehicle which has not yet been sold to a user. If you perform these particular operations on new vehicles before they are 'completed' (49 CFR S568.3) and certified, and they are completed by you, then you will be responsible for certification. If you perform these operations on a new vehicle that has been completed and previously certified, then you will in all likelihood be a vehicle alterer, and subject to specific requirements applicable to alterers.; I have enclosed a copy of NHTSA's Certification regulations (49 CFR S 567,568) which contain the requirements for certification by manufacturers and alterers. Also enclosed is information on where you may obtain copies of other NHTSA standards and regulations. If you have further questions regarding these materials, please write to me.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Acting Chief Counsel