Interpretation ID: nht71-1.22

DATE: 05/01/71 EST

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Clue D. Ferguson; NHTSA

TO: Mr. Harvey R. Rosen, Attorney at Law

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your letter of April 2, 1971, to Mr. Douglas Toms, in which you inquired about Federal requirements governing the interaction of passenger car door locking mechanisms and door opening capability.

I am enclosing a copy of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, entitled Door Locks and Door Retention Components, which applies to the area you have discussed. Please further note that paragraph 54.1.3.1 is applicable to the point in question, and requires that only the outside latch release control become inoperative on front doors when the locking mechanism is engaged. In the case of rear doors, addressed by paragraph 54.1.3.2, both inside and outside release mechanisms are affected. For your clarification, this standard was issued pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-563).

As you point out, certain manufacturers have included the inside and outside feature on front as well as rear doors; however, the inside application to front doors was not required by the standard.

Thank you for your interest in motor vehicle safety.