Interpretation ID: nht74-3.45

DATE: 05/21/74

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; SIGNATURE UNAVAILABLE; NHTSA

TO: Peter Dakin

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in response to your letter of May 4, 1974, requesting information concerning Federal safety standards applicable to the assembly of kit cars.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 prohibits the manufacture for sale or introduction into interstate commerce of any motor vehicle that does not comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Therefore, if the vehicle you are building is going to be used as a means of transportation on the road, it must be certified as conforming with all applicable safety standards. The mere use of a vehicle on public highways constitutes an introduction into interstate commerce and is prohibited unless compliance with the safety standards has been achieved.

Part 56/.4(g) (1)(ii) of the certification regulations provides the producer of the kit with an option as to whether or not he certifies that the vehicle will comply with all applicable safety standards if completed according to his instructions. We would urge you to avoid undertaking the assembly of a kit that does not give assurance as to its ultimate ability to comply. If the producer of the kit takes the responsibility of certifying the completed vehicle, you as the assembler of the vehicle must exercise reasonable care in following the instructions he provides.

For your information I have enclosed a sheet entitled "Where to Obtain Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations" which will direct you to the proper source for obtaining a copy of the safety standards and regulations.

ENC.

May 4, 1977

Peter Dakin

733 Spartan Drive

Rochester

Michigan 48063

Department of Transportation Washington DC

Dear Sir or Madam

please advise me what regulations I must obey in building a kit car for legal street use and registration?

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Peter Dakin