Federal Register #Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0727

NHTSA Interim Final Rule: Seat Belt Warning System Requirements Update

This interim final rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updates seat belt warning system requirements for motor vehicles: - Government Buyer: - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation - Affected Parties: - Manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles (GVWR ≤ 10,000 lbs) - No specific OEMs or vendors are named - Products/Systems Impacted: - Front and rear seat belt warning systems compliant with FMVSS No. 208 - Includes both visual and audible warning features - Applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or less - Key Requirements and Changes: - Compliance date for front and rear seat belt warning systems unified and extended to September 1, 2028 - Multi-stage manufacturers and alterers receive an additional year for compliance - Optional early compliance is permitted - Technical clarifications provided for warning system specifications - Rule harmonizes with international standards and offers flexibility for small manufacturers - No direct procurement of products or services is solicited in this notice - Public comments are requested before the final rule is issued

Description

This interim final rule amends the seat belt warning requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant crash protection," in response to petitions for reconsideration of the January 2025 final rule. It delays the compliance dates and makes technical clarifications to the regulatory text. The rule is effective immediately, but the agency requests comments by May 21, 2026, and will publish a final rule after considering those comments. Multi-stage manufacturers and alterers have an additional year to comply.

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