Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§32911 Compliance

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART C— - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › Chapter CHAPTER 329— - AUTOMOBILE FUEL ECONOMY › § 32911

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

People break the law if they do not follow this chapter and the rules and orders made under it, except for sections 32902, 32903, 32908(b), 32917(b), and 32918 and the rules under those sections. The Secretary of Transportation must hold a formal proceeding with a hearing on the record to decide if a violation happened. An automobile manufacturer breaks the law if it fails to meet the average fuel economy standard in section 32902 after using credits from section 32903. If calculations under section 32904(c) show a violation, the Secretary must hold the same kind of proceeding, unless more tests, calculations, or other information show no violation. The measurements and calculations must be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person may take part in these proceedings.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §32911

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A person commits a violation if the person fails to comply with this chapter and regulations and standards prescribed and orders issued under this chapter (except section 32902, 32903, 32908(b), 32917(b), and 32918 and regulations and standards prescribed and orders issued under those sections). The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a proceeding, with an opportunity for a hearing on the record, to decide whether a person has committed a violation. Any interested person may participate in a proceeding under this subsection.
(b)A manufacturer of automobiles commits a violation if the manufacturer fails to comply with an applicable average fuel economy standard under section 32902 of this title. Compliance is determined after considering credits available to the manufacturer under section 32903 of this title. If average fuel economy calculations under section 32904(c) of this title indicate that a manufacturer has violated this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct a proceeding, with an opportunity for a hearing on the record, to decide whether a violation has been committed. The Secretary may not conduct the proceeding if further measurements of fuel economy, further calculations of average fuel economy, or other information indicates a violation has not been committed. The results of the measurements and calculations and the information shall be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person may participate in a proceeding under this subsection.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272 Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 32911(a)15:2007(a)(3).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, §§ 507(a), 508(a); added Dec. 22, 1975, Pub. L. 94–163, § 301, 89 Stat. 911; Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–425, § 6(a)(1), (c)(1), (2), 94 Stat. 1826, 1827. 15:2008(a)(2). 32911(b)15:2007(a)(1), (2). 15:2007(b).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 507(b); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–425, § 6(a)(2), 94 Stat. 1826. 15:2008(a). In this section, the words “commits a violation if the . . . fails” are substituted for “the following conduct is unlawful . . . the failure of any person” for clarity and consistency in the revised title. In subsection (a), the reference to 15:2011 is omitted because that provision is not restated in this chapter. The words “The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a proceeding, with an opportunity for a hearing on the record, to decide” are substituted for “If, on the record after opportunity for agency hearing, the Secretary determines” in 15:2008 for clarity. The words “the Secretary shall assess the penalties provided for under subsection (b) of this section” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words “Compliance is determined after considering credits available to the manufacturer under section 32903 of this title” are substituted for 15:2007(b) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “the Secretary shall conduct a proceeding, with an opportunity for a hearing on the record, to decide” are substituted for “the Secretary shall commence a proceeding under paragraph (2) of this subsection” in 15:2008(a)(1) and “If, on the record after opportunity for agency hearing, the Secretary determines” in 15:2008(a)(2) for clarity. The words “may not conduct” are substituted for “(unless” in 15:2008(a)(1) for clarity. Pub. L. 103–429This makes a conforming amendment necessary because of the restatement of 15:2011 as 49:32918 by section 6(43)(A) of the bill.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “, 32917(b), and 32918” for “, and 32917(b)”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 32911

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73