National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 directs NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection,'' to require a seat belt use warning system for rear seats. NHTSA initiated a rulemaking proceeding in 2013, and as it continues with this proceeding NHTSA is seeking public comment on a variety of issues related to a requirement for a rear seat belt warning system. NHTSA seeks comment on, among other things, potential requirements for such systems, the vehicles to which they should apply, their effectiveness, the likely consumer acceptance, and the associated costs and benefits.

Gillig LLC, has determined that certain model year (MY) 2013- 2019 Gillig Low Floor buses do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect. Gillig filed a noncompliance report dated April 1, 2019, and later amended their report on April 23, 2019. Gillig subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 8, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Gillig's petition.

ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp., (EMV) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2018 ElectraMeccanica SOLO motorcycles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 Pounds). EMV filed a noncompliance report dated July 30, 2019. EMV subsequently petitioned NHTSA on August 12, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of EMV's petition.

This notice proposes to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, to allow manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs) to install a number of driver-selectable pedestrian alert sounds in each HEV they manufacture. This proposal responds to a petition for reconsideration of the FMVSS No. 141 final rule published December 14, 2016. NHTSA is proposing to remove the limit to the number of compliant sounds that a manufacturer may choose to install in a vehicle. Drivers would be able to select the sound they prefer from the set of sounds installed in the vehicle. NHTSA is also seeking comment on whether interested parties believe that the agency should establish a limit to the number of compliant sounds from which a driver may select that a manufacturer may choose to install in a vehicle. This document also makes technical changes.

FCA US, LLC, (f/k/a Chrysler Group LLC) ``FCA US'' has determined that certain model year (MY) 2018 Jeep Wrangler motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, Glazing Material. FCA US filed a noncompliance report dated April 25, 2019. FCA also petitioned NHTSA on May 15, 2019, and later submitted a supplemental petition on May 31, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of FCA US's petition.

Arai Helmet, Inc. (Arai), has determined that certain Arai Corsair X Mamola Edge motorcycle helmets, do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets. Arai filed a noncompliance report dated March 6, 2019, and later amended it on March 28, 2019. Arai subsequently petitioned NHTSA on March 28, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Arai's petition.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on June 12, 2019.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on February 1, 2019. One comment was received during the 60-day comment period. The comment was submitted by a national EMS organization and was supportive of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System and NHTSA's continued collection of emergency medical services data from U.S. States and Territories.

Pirelli Tire, LLC (Pirelli), has determined that certain Pirelli P Zero replacement tires do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Pirelli filed a noncompliance report dated November 19, 2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on December 14, 2018, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Pirelli's petition.

This final rule clarifies the direct contact protection requirements for high voltage connectors in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305, ``Electric-powered vehicles: electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection.'' It amends the standard to make clear the allowance of high voltage connectors that require the use of a tool to separate from their mating component. This final rule also makes three minor technical corrections to FMVSS No. 305.

Mack Trucks Inc., (Mack) and Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) have determined that certain model year (MY) 2014-2019 Mack Trucks and certain MY 2014-2019 Volvo Trucks do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 101, Controls and Displays. Both Mack and Volvo filed noncompliance reports dated August 16, 2018, and later amended them on August 23, 2018, and June 2, 2019. Both Mack and Volvo subsequently petitioned NHTSA on October 9, 2018, and later amended their petition on May 29, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of both Mack and Volvo's petitions.

This document proposes amendments to Federal Motor Vehicle Standard (FMVSS) No. 109 in response to a petition from the Tire and Rim Association to clarify the applicability of the FMVSSs to certain types of tires intended for use on trailers. Based on a review of prior amendments to FMVSS Nos. 109 and 119, NHTSA concludes that it inadvertently made these tires subject to both FMVSS Nos. 109 and 119, when it was the agency's intent to make them subject only to FMVSS No. 119. This document also proposes nonsubstantive technical corrections to tire and rim regulations.

In accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, this final rule provides the 2019 inflation adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

This final rule confirms the determination NHTSA announced in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act or 2015 Act) does not apply to the civil penalty rate applicable to automobile manufacturers that fail to meet applicable corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and are unable to offset such a deficit with compliance credits. In addition, this final rule is finalizing the agency's determination that even if the Inflation Adjustment Act applies, increasing the CAFE civil penalty rate would have a negative economic impact, and therefore, in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), the current CAFE civil penalty rate of $5.50 should be retained, instead of increasing to $14 in model year 2019.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collection was published on April 24, 2019. NHTSA received one comment, from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), that was supportive of the proposed information collection.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen), has determined that certain Model year (MY) 2015-2016 Audi A3 and Audi S3 motor vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. Volkswagen filed a noncompliance report dated January 28, 2019, and also petitioned NHTSA on January 28, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of Volkswagen's petition.

Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) has determined that certain Yokohama RY023 brand replacement commercial tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lbs) and Motorcycles. YTC filed a noncompliance report dated July 12, 2018. YTC subsequently petitioned NHTSA on July 31, 2018, and submitted a supplemental petition on February 6, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of YTC's petition.

NHTSA announces a meeting of NEMSAC to be held at DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public, as well as provide opportunities for public input to the NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC, a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services representatives and consumers, is to advise and consult with DOT and the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) on matters relating to emergency medical services (EMS).

This final rule announces NHTSA's determination that there are no new model year 2018 light duty truck lines subject to the parts- marking requirements of the Federal motor vehicle theft prevention standard. The agency determined no new models were high-theft or had major parts that are interchangeable with a majority of the covered major parts of passenger car or multipurpose passenger vehicle lines. This final rule also identifies those vehicle lines that have been granted an exemption from the parts-marking requirements because they are equipped with antitheft devices determined to meet certain criteria.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a renewal of a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) on behalf of itself and its parent company Daimler AG (DAG), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS-Class motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. MBUSA filed a noncompliance information report dated December 12, 2016, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on December 22, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of MBUSA's petition.

General Motors, LLC (GM), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2018 Buick Regal motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. GM filed a noncompliance report dated April 4, 2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on April 27, 2018, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of GM's petition.

NHTSA is seeking public comment on the near- and long-term challenges of testing and verifying compliance with existing crash avoidance (100-series) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs) for Automated Driving System-Dedicated Vehicles (ADS-DVs) that lack traditional manual controls necessary for a human driver to maneuver the vehicle and other features intended to facilitate operation of a vehicle by a human driver, but that are otherwise traditional vehicles with typical seating configurations. This document seeks comments on the suitability of various approaches that could be used to address compliance verification challenges that exist for crash avoidance standards that either require a manual control; or specify the use of manual controls in a compliance test procedure. NHTSA's long-term goal is to use what the agency learns from this ANPRM, as well as the agency's other research efforts, to develop a proposal to amend the crash avoidance FMVSSs in ways that address these and other compliance challenges with a continued focus on safety. This ANPRM builds on NHTSA's efforts to identify and address regulatory barriers to ADS technologies, including the request for comments (RFC) on this topic in January 2018. NHTSA intends to issue two additional documents to remove barriers in the crashworthiness FMVSSs (200-series standards) and address issues in the FMVSSs pertaining to telltales, indicators, and warnings in ADS-DVs.

This proposal is being issued pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act which requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to extend the period of time manufacturers of motor vehicles, tires and child restraint systems must retain records concerning defects and malfunctions that may be related to motor vehicle safety under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). Section 24403 of the FAST Act directs the Secretary to issue a rule increasing the time of record retention to a period not less than ten years, instead of five years as presently required under the regulatory provisions. Pursuant to its delegated authority, NHTSA is proposing to update our regulations in accordance with this mandate. This proposed update is not intended to change the scope of the existing rule, other than as specifically described in this notice, but is intended to aid in efficiently and effectively improving the agency's ability to identify safety defects and noncompliances.