Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-102
§33118 Preemption of State and Local Law
Title 49 › SUBTITLE VI — MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › PART C — INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › CHAPTER 331 — THEFT PREVENTION › § 33118
Summary
States and localities cannot set different vehicle-or-major-part theft-prevention rules when a federal auto-theft rule applies.
Full Legal Text
Title 49, §33118
Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
When a motor vehicle theft prevention standard prescribed under section 33102 or 33103 of this title is in effect, a State or political subdivision of a State may not have a different motor vehicle theft prevention standard for a motor vehicle or major replacement part.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3311815:2031.Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 614; added Oct. 25, 1984, Pub. L. 98–547, § 101(a), 98 Stat. 2763; Oct. 25, 1992, Pub. L. 102–519, § 306(a), 106 Stat. 3397. The words “may not have” are substituted for “no . . . shall have any authority either to establish, or to continue in effect” to eliminate unnecessary words.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 33118
Title 49, Transportation
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102