National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Scope

Regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) apply to motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles, and vehicle manufacturers, among others.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 500-599
• 49 CFR 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements
• 49 CFR 571 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Key definitions

• Commercial motor vehicle: A self-propelled or towed vehicle used on a highway to transport property or passengers when the vehicle:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW), of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), and not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity that requires placarding.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): An agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that oversees vehicle manufacturing standards and other traffic safety issues.

Summary of requirements

NHTSA is charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic loss resulting from motor vehicle crashes. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. NHTSA also provides grants to state and local governments to assist them in conducting effective highway safety programs.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for commercial motor vehicles, administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), often cross-reference the NHTSA manufacturing standards. In effect, NHTSA tells manufacturers how to construct their vehicles, and the FMCSA requires motor carriers to maintain their vehicles to those NHTSA standards. Thus, to fully comply with the FMCSRs, motor carriers must reference and comply with the NHTSA manufacturing standards as found in 49 CFR 571.

NHTSA also:

• Investigates safety defects in motor vehicles and issues recalls when necessary;
• Sets standards for Vehicle Identification Numbers;
• Sets and enforces fuel economy standards;
• Helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promote the use of safety belts, child safety seats, and air bags, and investigate odometer fraud;
• Establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations;
• Provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics;
• Conducts research on driver behavior and various aspects of traffic safety and produces traffic safety reports like Traffic Safety Fact Sheets and Traffic Safety Facts Annual Reports;
• Runs a toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline to provide recall information; and
• Receives safety complaints and provides consumers with a wide range of information on vehicle safety.

Visit the NHTSA website.