NHTSA Wants to Keep Air-Bag Switch Forms
Published Date: 7/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking for approval to keep collecting info about installing retrofit air bag switches in vehicles. This affects car owners and businesses that install these switches, helping ensure safety while keeping paperwork manageable. Comments on this plan are open until August 20, 2026, with no new costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
You must complete a retrofit switch request form
If you want a retrofit air bag on-off switch, you must fill out the NHTSA retrofit air bag switch request form (HS Form 603). The form asks you to confirm you read the agency brochure, select an eligibility justification, initial a safety-consequence statement, and certify accuracy under 18 U.S.C. 1001; NHTSA estimates the request form takes 0.5 hour to complete.
Installers must submit installation return forms
Motor vehicle dealers and repair businesses that install retrofit air bag switches must submit an installation return form (HS Form 2035) to NHTSA so the agency can track installations and compliance. NHTSA estimates the installation return form takes 0.1 hour to complete and that, on average, 150 installation return forms will be submitted annually.
Estimated annual paperwork burden and labor cost
NHTSA estimates the total annual burden for this collection is 90 hours and calculates an associated annual labor cost of $1,785 using a $23.80 median hourly wage. The agency also estimates a conservative annual mailing/printing cost of $459 if respondents mail all forms first-class, though email submission is now allowed.
Eligibility limited to older vehicles
Only vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2015, may be modified by a dealer or repair business to install a retrofit air bag switch under 49 CFR part 595, subpart B. Vehicle owners with vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2015, are not eligible for these retrofit switch authorizations under this rule.
Electronic submission option allowed
NHTSA will allow electronic (email) submission of the retrofit air bag switch request and installation return forms, and the agency expects respondents will largely choose email, which it says will avoid additional costs. The collection request notes that email submission was not previously an option and that allowing it is a modification to the approved collection.
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Key Dates
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