§33106 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

Car makers can ask the Secretary of Transportation to excuse a line of passenger cars from a federal anti-theft rule if those cars come with a built-in anti-theft device that the maker thinks will work as well as the rule. “Anti-theft device” here means an extra theft-prevention gadget (beyond the one already required), one the maker believes will help stop theft, and that does not use sirens or lights reserved for police, emergency vehicles, or school buses. “Standard equipment” means something already installed on the car when the maker delivers it, not an optional add-on. The maker must file the request at least 8 months before production of the first model year covered. The request must describe the device, explain why it should work, and give any other information the Secretary asks for. The Secretary must decide within 120 days and can approve, partly approve, or deny the petition; if no decision is made in 120 days, the petition is treated as approved for the next model year. The law limits how many model lines a maker can get exempted in certain years (1987, 1988–1996, 1997–2000) and after 2000 the Attorney General sets the number. The Secretary can later cancel an exemption if the device proves less effective; any cancellation applies only to years after the cancellation and takes effect at least 6 months after the maker gets written notice.

Title 49, §33106

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section—

(1)“anti-theft device” means a device to reduce or deter theft that—

(A)is in addition to the theft-deterrent devices required by motor vehicle safety standard numbered 114 in section 571.114 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations;

(B)the manufacturer believes will be effective in reducing or deterring theft of motor vehicles; and

(C)does not use a signaling device reserved by State law for use on police, emergency, or official vehicles, or on schoolbuses.

(2)“standard equipment” means equipment already installed in a motor vehicle when it is delivered from the manufacturer and not an accessory or other item that the first purchaser customarily has the option to have installed.

(b)(1)A manufacturer may petition the Secretary of Transportation for an exemption from a requirement of a standard prescribed under section 33102 or 33103 of this title for a line of passenger motor vehicles equipped as standard equipment with an anti-theft device that the Secretary decides is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the standard.

(2)The Secretary may grant an exemption—

(A)for model year 1987, for not more than 2 lines of a manufacturer;

(B)for each of the model years 1988–1996, for not more than 2 additional lines of a manufacturer;

(C)for each of the model years 1997–2000, for not more than one additional line of a manufacturer; and

(D)for each of the model years after model year 2000, for the number of lines that the Attorney General decides under section 33103(d)(3) of this title.

(3)An additional exemption granted under paragraph (2)(B) or (C) of this subsection does not affect an exemption previously granted.

(c)A petition must be filed not later than 8 months before the start of production for the first model year covered by the petition. The petition must include—

(1)a detailed description of the device;

(2)the reasons for the manufacturer’s conclusion that the device will be effective in reducing and deterring theft of motor vehicles; and

(3)additional information the Secretary reasonably may require to make the decision described in subsection (b)(1) of this section.

(d)The Secretary shall make a decision about a petition filed under this section not later than 120 days after the date the petition is filed. A decision approving a petition must be based on substantial evidence. The Secretary may approve a petition in whole or in part. If the Secretary does not make a decision within the 120-day period, the petition shall be deemed to be approved and the manufacturer shall be exempt from the standard for the line covered by the petition for the subsequent model year.

(e)The Secretary may rescind an exemption if the Secretary decides that the anti-theft device has not been as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the standard. A rescission may be effective only—

(1)for a model year after the model year in which the rescission occurs; and

(2)at least 6 months after the manufacturer receives written notice of the rescission from the Secretary.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272 Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 33106(a)(1)15:2025(e).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 605(a)(1), (3), (b)–(e); added Oct. 25, 1984, Pub. L. 98–547, § 101(a), 98 Stat. 2759. 33106(a)(2)15:2025(a)(3). 33106(b)15:2025(a)(1), (2).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 605(a)(2); added Oct. 25, 1984, Pub. L. 98–547, § 101(a), 98 Stat. 2759; Oct. 25, 1992, Pub. L. 102–519, § 304, 106 Stat. 3396. 33106(c)15:2025(b). 33106(d)15:2025(c). 33106(e)15:2025(d). In subsection (b)(1), the words “the application of any of” are omitted as surplus. The words “or lines” are omitted because of 1:1. In subsection (b)(2)(A), the words “for model year 1987” are substituted for “For the initial model year to which such standard applies” for clarity. See 50 Fed. Reg. 43166 (1985). In clause (D), the words “that the Attorney General decides” are substituted for “for which the Secretary may grant such an exemption (if any) shall be determined” for clarity and because of the restatement. In subsection (d), the words “for the line covered by the petition” are added for clarity. Subsection (e) is substituted for 15:2025(d) for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. Pub. L. 103–429This amends 49:33106(b)(3) to correct an error in the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 1082).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “paragraph (2)(B) or (C) of this subsection” for “subparagraph (2)(B) or (C) of this paragraph”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

§33106 Exemption for Passenger Motor Vehicles Equipped with Anti-theft Devices