The purpose of this chapter is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents. Therefore it is necessary—(1) to prescribe motor vehicle safety standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment in interstate commerce; and
(2) to carry out needed safety research and development.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 941.)
Historical and Revision Notes
RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
3010115:1381.Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, § 1, 80 Stat. 718.
The words “Congress hereby declares that”, “to persons”, and “Congress determines that” are omitted as surplus. The words “motor vehicle” before “equipment” are added for consistency. The words “and to expand the national driver register” are omitted because section 401 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89–563, 80 Stat. 730), the only section in this law related to the national driver register, was superseded by the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1740).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2024 AmendmentPub. L. 118–156, § 1, Dec. 17, 2024, 138 Stat. 1716, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 31309 and 31311 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Strengthening the Commercial Driver’s License Information System Act’.”
Short Title of 2020 AmendmentPub. L. 116–260, div. N, title IV, § 440, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2068, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 440, 441) of title IV of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 31102 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Motor Carrier Safety Grant Relief Act of 2020’.”
Pub. L. 116–260, div. U, title X, § 1001(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2304, provided that: “This title [enacting provisions set out as a note under section 30301 of this title and amending provisions set out as a note under section 30301 of this title] may be cited as the ‘REAL ID Modernization Act’.”
Short Title of 2018 AmendmentPub. L. 115–323, § 1, Dec. 17, 2018, 132 Stat. 4443, provided that: “This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under section 30301 of this title] may be cited as the ‘REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act’.”
Pub. L. 115–106, § 1, Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2265, provided that: “This Act [amending section 31310 of this title] may be cited as the ‘No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act’.”
Pub. L. 115–105, § 1, Jan. 8, 2018, 131 Stat. 2263, provided that: “This Act [amending section 31305 of this title and enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under section 31149 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Jobs for Our Heroes Act’.”
Pub. L. 115–99, § 1, Jan. 3, 2018, 131 Stat. 2242, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 31110 and 31313 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 102 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act’.”
Short Title of 2015 AmendmentPub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, § 24109(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1706, provided that: “This section [amending sections 30102, 30120, 30122, and 30166 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 30102 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2015’.”
Pub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, § 24321, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1713, provided that: “This part [part II (§§ 24321, 24322) of subtitle C of title XXIV of div. B of Pub. L. 114–94, amending section 32302 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Safety Through Informed Consumers Act of 2015’.”
Pub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, § 24331, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1713, provided that: “This part [part III (§§ 24331–24335) of subtitle C of title XXIV of div. B of Pub. L. 114–94, amending sections 30117 and 32304A of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 30119 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Tire Efficiency, Safety, and Registration Act of 2015’ or the ‘TESR Act’.”
Pub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, § 24351, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1716, provided that: “This part [part V (§§ 24351, 24352) of subtitle C of title XXIV of div. B of Pub. L. 114–94, enacting section 30172 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 30172 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act’.”
Short Title of 2012 AmendmentPub. L. 112–196, § 1, Oct. 19, 2012, 126 Stat. 1459, provided that: “This Act [amending section 31311 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012’.”
Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, § 32001, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 776, provided that “This title [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2012’.”
Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, § 32401, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 795, provided that “This subtitle [subtitle D (§§ 32401, 32402) of title II of div. C of Pub. L. 112–141, enacting section 31306a of this title and amending section 31306 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Safe Roads Act of 2012’.”
Short Title of 2007 AmendmentPub. L. 110–140, title I, § 101, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1498, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 101–113) of title I of Pub. L. 110–140, enacting section 32304A of this title, amending sections 32308, 32901 to 32904, 32905, 32906, 32908, and 32912 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 32902, 32904, and 32908 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act’.”
Short Title of 2005 AmendmentPub. L. 109–59, title IV, § 4001, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1714, provided that: “This title [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Motor Carrier Safety Reauthorization Act of 2005’.”
Short Title of 2000 AmendmentPub. L. 106–414, § 1, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1800, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 30170 of this title, amending sections 30115, 30117, 30118, 30120, 30165, and 30166 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 30111, 30115, 30118, 30123, and 30127 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act’.”
Short Title of 1998 AmendmentPub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7101, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 465, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 7101–7107) of title VII of Pub. L. 105–178, enacting section 30105 of this title, amending sections 30104, 30114, 30120, 30123, 30127, 32102, 32304, and 32705 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 30114 and 30127 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reauthorization Act of 1998’.”
Short Title of 1996 AmendmentPub. L. 104–152, § 1, July 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1384, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 30501 to 30505 and 33109 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 30502 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Anti-Car Theft Improvements Act of 1996’.”
Global HarmonizationPub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, § 24211, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 825, provided that: “The Secretary [of Transportation] shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with foreign governments, nongovernmental stakeholder groups, the motor vehicle industry, and consumer groups with respect to global harmonization of vehicle regulations as a means for improving motor vehicle safety.”
Driver PrivacyPub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, subtitle C, part I, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1712, provided that:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Outreach to Manufacturer, Dealer, and Mechanic PersonnelPub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31302, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 763, provided that: “The Secretary [of Transportation] shall publicize the means for contacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a manner that targets mechanics, passenger motor vehicle dealership personnel, and manufacturer personnel.”
Side-Impact Crash Protection RulemakingPub. L. 109–59, title X, § 10302, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1940, provided that:
“(a) Rulemaking.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall complete a rulemaking proceeding under chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, to establish a standard designed to enhance passenger motor vehicle occupant protection, in all seating positions, in side impact crashes. The Secretary shall issue a final rule by July 1, 2008.
“(b) Deadlines.—If the Secretary determines that the deadline for a final rule under this section cannot be met, the Secretary shall—“(1) notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce and explain why that deadline cannot be met; and
“(2) establish a new deadline.”
Vehicle Backover Avoidance Technology Study; Nontraffic Incident Data CollectionPub. L. 109–59, title X, §§ 10304, 10305, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1940, 1941, provided that:
Study on Interior Device To Release Trunk LidPub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7106(e), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 469, required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct a study of the benefits to motor vehicle drivers of a regulation to require the installation in a motor vehicle of an interior device to release the trunk lid and to submit a report on the results of the study to the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after June 9, 1998.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Authorization Act of 1991Pub. L. 102–240, title II, part B, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2081, as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, § 7(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1379, provided that:
Fuel System Integrity StandardPub. L. 93–492, title I, § 108, Oct. 27, 1974, 88 Stat. 1482, provided that:
“(a) Ratification of Standard.—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 301 (49 CFR 571.301–75; Docket No. 73–20, Notice 2) as published on March 21, 1974 (39 F.R. 10588–10590) shall take effect on the dates prescribed in such standard (as so published).
“(b) Amendment or Repeal of Standard.—The Secretary may amend the standard described in subsection (a) in order to correct technical errors in the standard, and may amend or repeal such standard if he determines such amendment or repeal will not diminish the level of motor vehicle safety.”
Executive Documents
Ex. Ord. No. 11357. Administration of Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Through National Highway Safety Bureau and Its Director
Ex. Ord. No. 11357, June 6, 1967, 32 F.R. 8225, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States by Section 201 of the Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 735, 943) [set out as a note under section 401 of Title 23, Highways], and by Section 3(f)(3) of the Department of Transportation Act (80 Stat. 932) [former 49 U.S.C. 1652(f)(3)], it is hereby ordered that the provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 718, 943) [formerly 15 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.], shall be carried out through the National Highway Safety Bureau and the Director thereof.
Lyndon B. Johnson.