§30146 Release of Motor Vehicles and Bonds

Summary

Registered importers can only let an imported vehicle be licensed, registered, or given to someone for use on public roads after waiting 30 days from the day the importer tells the Secretary of Transportation that the vehicle meets the safety rules for the year it was made. If the Secretary sends a written notice before the 30 days are up saying the vehicle will be inspected, the vehicle cannot be released until the inspection shows it meets the rules and the Secretary approves release. The Secretaries of Transportation and the Treasury must write rules to make sure the vehicle and any required bond are released at the end of the 30 days unless an inspection is ordered, and that they are released quickly after a passing inspection. Each released vehicle must carry a label the Secretary requires that names the importer and says the importer changed the vehicle to meet the rules. An importer may rely on the maker’s certification for a similar model if the importer says its changes did not affect safety and keeps records the Secretary requires. The Secretary can ask for proof or inspect vehicles and will check a representative sample regularly. If the Secretary, within 30 days of the certification, thinks it is false or misleading, the vehicle and bond stay held until the Secretary is satisfied and any corrections are made. Releasing the bond is treated as accepting the certification or finishing an inspection, but it is not the same as an official compliance decision under section 30118.