NHTSA Seeks Car and Seat Safety Data: Comment Now
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to collect new information about motor vehicles and child safety seats to make sure they meet safety rules. They’re asking the public to share thoughts before January 20, 2026, to help shape this process. This won’t cost the public money but helps keep cars and child seats safe for everyone.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual Safety Data Collection for Vehicles
NHTSA will collect annual model-year information from vehicle manufacturers to support compliance testing that helps ensure vehicles meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and to reduce deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. NHTSA plans to send a standardized Model Year Information Request letter each March asking for production estimates, technical specs, certification details, and information about vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs.) or less.
Paperwork Burden on Vehicle and CRS Makers
NHTSA proposes two annual information requests (Form NHTSA 2042 for vehicles and Form NHTSA 2043 for child restraints) to be sent to manufacturers, estimating 26 vehicle respondents and 40 child restraint respondents each year. NHTSA estimates a combined annual respondent burden of 1,456 hours and an estimated total annual labor cost of $77,482.28; the Agency requests OMB approval with a requested expiration of approval 3 years from the date of approval.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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