§32511 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

States and local governments may only set or enforce bumper rules for passenger cars if those rules are exactly the same as the federal bumper standard under section 32502. A State may keep or enforce an older state bumper rule about a performance matter not covered by the federal standard only if it does not conflict with other federal safety rules and it was in effect on October 20, 1972. The U.S. government, a State, or a local government may require tougher bumper rules for vehicles they buy for their own use.

Title 49, §32511

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as provided in this section, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or enforce a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.

(b)This chapter and chapter 301 of this title do not affect the authority of a State to enforce a bumper standard about an aspect of performance of a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment not covered by a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title if the State bumper standard—

(1)does not conflict with a standard prescribed under chapter 301 of this title; and

(2)was in effect or prescribed by the State on October 20, 1972.

(c)The United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes additional or higher standards of performance than a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 32511(a)15:1920(a).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, § 110, 86 Stat. 955. 32511(b)15:1920(b)(1). 32511(c)15:1920(b)(2). In subsection (a), the words “may prescribe or enforce . . . only if the standard is identical” are substituted for “no . . . shall have any authority to establish or enforce with respect to . . . which is not identical” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title” are substituted for “Federal bumper standard” for clarity. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words “to continue” are omitted as surplus. The words “a bumper standard about an aspect of performance . . . not covered by a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title” are substituted for “Until a Federal bumper standard takes effect with respect to an aspect of performance” and “any bumper standard which is applicable to the same aspect of performance of such vehicle or item of equipment” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “if the State bumper standard” are added for clarity. In subsection (c), the words “that imposes additional or higher standards of performance than” are substituted for “which is not identical to . . . if such requirement imposes an additional or higher standard of performance” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

§32511 Relationship to other motor vehicle standards

Summary

Title 49, §32511

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Citations & Metadata