Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73not60

§31147 Limitations on Authority

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part B— COMMERCIAL › Chapter 311— COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY › Subchapter III— SAFETY REGULATION › § 31147

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Stops the Secretary of Transportation from making traffic safety rules or overruling state traffic laws. The Secretary can only make traffic rules about topics that were already covered in parts 390–399 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations on October 30, 1984. Also stops the Secretary from regulating how commercial motor vehicles are made for any reason, including fuel economy, safety, or emissions.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §31147

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)This subchapter does not authorize the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe traffic safety regulations or preempt State traffic regulations. However, the Secretary may prescribe traffic regulations to the extent their subject matter was regulated under parts 390–399 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, on October 30, 1984.

(b)This subchapter does not authorize the Secretary to regulate the manufacture of commercial motor vehicles for any purpose, including fuel economy, safety, or emission control.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 31147(a)49 App.:2519(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 229, 98 Stat. 2853. 31147(b)49 App.:2519(b). In subsection (a), the word “prescribe” is substituted for “establish or maintain” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 31147

Title 49 — Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60