NHTSA revises rules governing temporary vehicle safety exemptions

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an interim final rule changing how temporary exemptions from federal vehicle safety and bumper standards can be applied. The amendments remove language that had limited exemptions to vehicles manufactured on or after an exemption's effective date. NHTSA said the change aligns its regulations with the administrator's statutory discretion to determine which vehicle population an exemption covers. The rule also removes the requirement to submit three paper copies of an exemption application and establishes an electronic submission method. The amendments take effect immediately. NHTSA is nevertheless accepting public comments and said it will publish a final rule after the comment period, respond to the submissions it receives and make any changes it considers appropriate.