NHTSA Streamlines Car Labels from Brakes to Fuel Warnings
Published Date: 4/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to update and combine several vehicle labeling rules, like brake fluid warnings and fuel labels, into one clear set of requirements. This affects car makers and anyone involved in vehicle labeling, with some new labels added and a chance for the public to comment by June 8, 2026. These changes aim to keep drivers safe without adding big costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
NHTSA Consolidates Vehicle Labels
NHTSA plans to reinstate with modification an information collection that consolidates labeling requirements across nine FMVSS (Nos. 105, 135, 205, 208, 209, 303, 304, 307, and 308). The agency is adding three existing label requirements and two recently established ones tied to 49 CFR parts 571.208, 303, 304, 307, and 308; NHTSA estimates the consolidated collection totals 35,126 annual burden hours and $23,608,211 in annual costs.
Airbag & Dashboard Label Costs
If you manufacture vehicles with inflatable restraints, NHTSA estimates an annual burden of 1,100 hours and $15,570,042 to produce and apply required sun visor and dashboard air bag warning labels. NHTSA estimates 30,392,314 sun visors and 15,206,157 dashboards will receive the labels annually.
Seat Belt Labeling Burden
If you produce seat belt assemblies, NHTSA estimates manufacturers provide labels on 100,510,374 seat belt assemblies annually, with an annual burden of 9,788 hours and $5,144,908 in labor and label-application costs. NHTSA estimates 4,894 unique seat belt assembly models require template population each year.
Glazing Manufacturers Face Label Burden
If you manufacture glazing, NHTSA estimates 22 new glazing manufacturers request DOT code marks annually and that the glazing labeling requirements result in 21,994 annual hours and $4,095,202 in costs. The agency estimates $3,028,388 of that cost is for applying certification marks to an estimated 124,754,407 glazing units each year.
CNG & Hydrogen Labeling Added
NHTSA added labeling requirements for compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen vehicles and containers to this collection. Estimated annual burdens are small: CNG vehicle labels 74 hours and $10,839; CNG container labels 200 hours and $38,772; hydrogen vehicle labels 10 hours and $2,842; hydrogen container labels 10 hours and $8,143.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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