49 C.F.R. PART 574—TIRE IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDKEEPING
Title 49 - Transportation
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Editorial Note: An interpretation of manufacturer's designee issued by NHTSA and published at 36 FR 9780, May 28, 1971, provides as follows: “A request for an interpretation has been received from the Rubber Manufacturers Association asking that it be made clear that, under the Tire Identification and Recordkeeping Regulation (part 574), particularly §§574.7 and 574.8, only the tire manufacturer, brand name owner, or retreader may designate a third party to provide the necessary recording forms or to maintain the records required by the regulation.
“Another person has requested an interpretation concerning the questions whether: (1) A tire manufacturer, brand name owner or retreader may designate one or more persons to be its designee for the purpose of maintaining the information, (2) an independent distributor or dealer may select a designee for the retention of the manufacturer's records, provided the manufacturer approves the designation, and (3) the independent distributor or dealer may seek administrative relief in the event he believes the information retained by the manufacturer is being used to his detriment. “Under section 113(f) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1402(f) and part 574, it is the tire manufacturer who has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining the records of first purchasers. Therefore, it is the tire manufacturer or his designee who must maintain these records. The term designee, as used in the regulation, was not intended to preclude multiple designees; if the tire manufacturer desires, he may designate more than one person to maintain the required information. Furthermore, neither the Act nor the regulation prohibits the distributor or dealer from being the manufacturer's designee nor do they prohibit a distributor or dealer from selecting someone to be the manufacturer's designee provided the manufacturer approves of the selection. “With respect to the possibility of manufacturers using the maintained information to the detriment of a distributor or dealer, the NHTSA will of course investigate claims by distributors or dealers of alleged misconduct and, if the maintained information is being misused, take appropriate action. “Issued under the authority of sections 103, 113, and 119 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 1392, 1402, and 1407, and the delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.51.” This part sets forth the method by which new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners shall identify tires for use on motor vehicles and maintain records of tire purchasers, and the methods by which retreaders and retreaded tire brand name owners shall identify tires for use on motor vehicles. This part also sets forth the methods by which independent tire dealers and distributors shall record, on registration forms, their names and addresses and the identification number of the tires sold to tire purchasers and provide the forms to the purchasers, so that the purchasers may report their names to the new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners, and by which other tire dealers and distributors shall record and report the names of tire purchasers to the new tire manufacturers and new tire brand name owners. (Authority: Secs. 108, 119, and 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1407, and 1421); sec. 4, Pub. L. 97–311, 96 Stat. 1619 (15 U.S.C. 1418); and delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50) [49 FR 4760, Feb. 8, 1984] The purpose of this part is to facilitate notification to purchasers of defective or nonconforming tires, pursuant to Sections 30118 and 30119 of Title 49, United States Code, so that they may take appropriate action in the interest of motor vehicle safety. [61 FR 29495, June 11, 1996] (a) Statutory definitions. All terms in this part that are defined in Section 30102 of Title 49, United States Code, are used as defined therein. (b) Motor vehicle safety standard definitions. Unless otherwise indicated, all terms used in this part that are defined in the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, part 571 of this subchapter (hereinafter the Standards), are used as defined therein. (c)(1) Independent means, with respect to a tire distributor or dealer, one whose business is not owned or controlled by a tire manufacturer or brand name owner. (2) Mileage contract purchaser means a person who purchases or leases tire use on a mileage basis. (3) New tire brand name owner means a person, other than a new tire manufacturer, who owns or has the right to control the brand name of a new tire or a person who licenses another to purchase new tires from a new tire manufacturer bearing the licensor's brand name. (4) Retreaded tire brand name owner means a person, other than a retreader, who owns or has the right to control the brand name of a retreaded tire or a person who licenses another to purchase retreaded tires from a retreader bearing the licensor's brand name. (5) Tire purchaser means a person who buys or leases a new tire, or who buys or leases for 60 days or more a motor vehicle containing a new tire for purposes other than resale. (Authority: Secs. 103, 108, 112, 119, 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1397, 1401, 1407, 1421); secs. 102, 103, 104, Pub. L. 93–492, 88 Stat. 1470 (15 U.S.C. 1411–1420); 92 Stat. 2689 (15 U.S.C. 1418); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.51) [36 FR 1197, Jan. 26, 1971, as amended at 44 FR 7964, Feb. 8, 1979; 49 FR 38612, Oct. 1, 1984; 61 FR 29495, June 11, 1996] This part applies to manufacturers, brand name owners, retreaders, distributors, and dealers of new and retreaded tires, and new non-pneumatic tires and non-pneumatic tire assemblies for use on motor vehicles manufactured after 1948 and to manufacturers and dealers of motor vehicles manufactured after 1948. However, it does not apply to persons who retread tires solely for their own use. [36 FR 5422, Mar. 23, 1971, as amended at 55 FR 29596, July 20, 1990] Each tire manufacturer shall conspicuously label on one sidewall of each tire it manufactures, except tires manufactured exclusively for mileage-contract purchasers, or non-pneumatic tires or non-pneumatic tire assemblies, by permanently molding into or onto the sidewall, in the manner and location specified in Figure 1, a tire identification number containing the information set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. However, at the option of the manufacturer, the information contained in paragraph (d) of this section may, instead of being permanently molded, be laser etched into or onto the sidewall in the location specified in Figure 1, during the manufacturing process of the tire and not later than 24 hours after the tire is removed from the mold. Each tire retreader, except tire retreaders who retread tires solely for their own use, shall conspicuously label one sidewall of each tire it retreads by permanently molding or branding into or onto the sidewall, in the manner and location specified in Figure 2, a tire identification number containing the information set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. However, at the option of the retreader, the information set forth in paragraph (d) of this section may, instead of being permanently molded or branded, be laser etched into or onto the sidewall in the location specified in Figure 2, during the retreading of the tire and not later than 24 hours after the application of the new tread. In addition, the DOT symbol required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards shall be located as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The DOT symbol shall not appear on tires to which no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard is applicable, except that the DOT symbol on tires for use on motor vehicles other than passenger cars may, prior to retreading, be removed from the sidewall or allowed to remain on the sidewall, at the retreader's option. The symbols to be used in the tire identification number for tire manufacturers and retreaders are: “A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, T, U, V, W, X, Y, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0”. Tires manufactured or retreaded exclusively for mileage-contract purchasers are not required to contain a tire identification number if the tire contains the phrase “for mileage contract use only” permanently molded into or onto the tire sidewall in lettering at least one-quarter inch high. Each manufacturer of a non-pneumatic tire or a non-pneumatic tire assembly shall permanently mold, stamp or otherwise permanently mark into or onto one side of the non-pneumatic tire or non-pneumatic tire assembly a tire identification number containing the information set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. In addition, the DOT symbol required by the Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall be positioned relative to the tire identification number as shown in Figure 1, and the symbols to be used for the other information are those listed above. The labeling for a non-pneumatic tire or a non-pneumatic tire assembly shall be in the manner specified in Figure 1 and positioned on the non-pneumatic tire or non-pneumatic tire assembly such that it is not placed on the tread or the outermost edge of the tire and is not obstructed by any portion of the non-pneumatic rim or wheel center member designated for use with that non-pneumatic tire in S4.4 of Standard No. 129 (49 CFR 571.129). (a) First grouping. The first group, of two or three symbols, depending on whether the tire is new or retreaded, shall represent the manufacturer's assigned identification mark (see §574.6). (b) Second grouping. For new tires, the second group, of no more than two symbols, shall be used to identify the tire size. For a new non-pneumatic tire or a non-pneumatic tire assembly, the second group, of not more than two symbols, shall be used to identify the non-pneumatic tire identification code. For retreaded tires, the second group, of no more than two symbols, shall identify the retread matrix in which the tire was processed or a tire size code if a matrix was not used to process the retreaded tire. Each new-tire manufacturer and retreader shall maintain a record of each symbol used, with the corresponding matrix or tire size and shall provide such record to the NHTSA upon written request. (c) Third grouping. The third group, consisting of no more than four symbols, may be used at the option of the manufacturer or retreader as a descriptive code for the purpose of identifying significant characteristics of the tire. However, if the tire is manufactured for a brand name owner, one of the functions of the third grouping shall be to identify the brand name owner. Each manufacturer or retreader who uses the third grouping shall maintain a detailed record of any descriptive or brand name owner code used, which shall be provided to the Bureau upon written request. (d) Fourth grouping. The fourth grouping, consisting of four numerical symbols, must identify the week and year of manufacture. The first two symbols must identify the week of the year by using “01” for the first full calendar week in each year, “02” for the second full calendar week, and so on. The calendar week runs from Sunday through the following Saturday. The final week of each year may include not more than 6 days of the following year. The third and fourth symbols must identify the year. Example: 0101 means the 1st week of 2001, or the week beginning Sunday, January 7, 2001, and ending Saturday, January 13, 2001. The symbols signifying the date of manufacture shall immediately follow the optional descriptive code (paragraph (c) of this section). If no optional descriptive code is used, the symbols signifying the date of manufacture must be placed in the area shown in Figures 1 and 2 of this section for the optional descriptive code. (e) Tire identification number height. Notwithstanding Figures 1 and 2, each character in the tire identification number on tires with less than 6 inches in cross section width or tires with less than 13 inches bead diameter may be any size of 5/32 inches (4 mm) or greater. [36 FR 1197, Jan. 26, 1971, as amended at 36 FR 9870, May 23, 1971; 37 FR 23727, Nov. 8, 1972; 37 FR 25521, Dec. 1, 1972; 39 FR 5192, Feb. 11, 1974; 39 FR 12105, Apr. 3, 1974; 50 FR 2288, Jan. 16, 1985; 55 FR 29596, July 20, 1990; 64 FR 36812, July 8, 1999; 67 FR 69628, Nov. 18, 2002; 69 FR 31320, June 3, 2004; 69 FR 51400, Aug. 19, 2004; 69 FR 64501, Nov. 5, 2004] To obtain the identification mark required by 574.5(a), each manufacturer of new or retreaded pneumatic tires, non-pneumatic tires or non-pneumatic tire assemblies shall apply in writing to the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590, identify itself as a tire manufacturer or retreader and furnish the following information: (a) The name, or other designation identifying the applicant, and its main office address. (b) The name, or other identifying designation, of each individual plant operated by the manufacturer and the address of each plant, if applicable. (c) The type of tires manufactured at each plant, e.g., pneumatic tires for passenger cars, buses, trucks or motorcycles; pneumatic retreaded tires; or non-pneumatic tires or non-pneumatic tire assemblies. [55 FR 29596, July 20, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 29495, June 11, 1996] (a)(1) Each new tire manufacturer and each new tire brand name owner (hereinafter referred to in this section and §574.8 as “tire manufacturer”) or its designee, shall provide tire registration forms to every distributor and dealer of its tires which offers new tires for sale or lease to tire purchasers. (2) Each tire registration form provided to independent distributors and dealers pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall contain space for recording the information specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) through (a)(4)(iii) of this section and shall conform in content and format to Figures 3a and 3b. Each form shall be: (i) Rectangular; (ii) Not less than 0.007 inches thick; (iii) Greater than 3 (iv) Greater than 5 inches, but not greater than 6 inches long. (3) Each tire registration form provided to distributors and dealers that are not independent distributors or dealers pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be similar in format and size to Figure 4 and shall contain space for recording the information specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) through (a)(4)(iii) of this section. (4)(i) Name and address of the tire purchaser. (ii) Tire identification number. (iii) Name and address of the tire seller or other means by which the tire manufacturer can identify the tire seller. (b) Each tire manufacturer shall record and maintain, or have recorded and maintained for it by a designee, the information from registration forms which are submitted to it or its designee. No tire manufacturer shall use the information on the registration forms for any commercial purpose detrimental to tire distributors and dealers. Any tire manufacturer to which registration forms are mistakenly sent shall forward those registration forms to the proper tire manufacturer within 90 days of the receipt of the forms. (c) Each tire manufacturer shall maintain, or have maintained for it by a designee, a record of each tire distributor and dealer that purchases tires directly from the manufacturer and sells them to tire purchasers, the number of tires purchased by each such distributor or dealer, the number of tires for which reports have been received from each such distributor or dealer other than an independent distributor or dealer, the number of tires for which reports have been received from each such independent distributor or dealer, the total number of tires for which registration forms have been submitted to the manufacturer or its designee, and the total number of tires sold by the manufacturer. (d) The information that is specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section and recorded on registration forms submitted to a tire manufacturer or its designee shall be maintained for a period of not less than five years from the date on which the information is recorded by the manufacturer or its designee. (Authority: Secs. 108, 119, and 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1407, and 1421); sec. 4, Pub. L. 97–311, 96 Stat. 1619 (15 U.S.C. 1418); and delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50) [49 FR 4760, Feb. 8, 1984; 49 FR 5621, Feb. 14, 1984, as amended at 56 FR 49427, Sept. 30, 1991; 64 FR 36815, July 8, 1999; 67 FR 45872, July 10, 2002; 71 FR 39233, July 12, 2006] (a) Independent distributors and dealers. (1) Each independent distributor and each independent dealer selling or leasing new tires to tire purchasers or lessors (hereinafter referred to in this section as “tire purchasers”) shall provide each tire purchaser at the time of sale or lease of the tire(s) with a tire registration form. (2) The distributor or dealer may use either the registration forms provided by the tire manufacturers pursuant to §574.7(a) or registration forms obtained from another source. Forms obtained from other sources shall comply with the requirements specified in §574.7(a) for forms provided by tire manufacturers to independent distributors and dealers. (3) Before giving the registration form to the tire purchaser, the distributor or dealer shall record in the appropriate spaces provided on that form: (i) The entire tire identification number of the tire(s) sold or leased to the tire purchaser, and (ii) The distributor's or dealer's name and address or other means of identification known to the tire manufacturer. (4) Multiple tire purchases or leases by the same tire purchaser may be recorded on a single registration form. (b) Other distributors and dealers. (1) Each distributor and each dealer, other than an independent distributor or dealer, selling new tires to tire purchasers shall submit the information specified in §574.4(a)(4) to the manufacturer of the tires sold, or to its designee. (2) Each tire distributor and each dealer, other than an independent distributor or dealer, shall submit registration forms containing the information specified in §574.7(a)(4) to the tire manufacturer, or person maintaining the information, not less often than every 30 days. However, a distributor or dealer which sells less than 40 tires, of all makes, types and sizes during a 30-day period may wait until he or she sells a total of 40 new tires, but in no event longer than six months, before forwarding the tire information to the respective tire manufacturers or their designees. (c) Each distributor and each dealer selling new tires to other tire distributors or dealers shall supply to the distributor or dealer a means to record the information specified in §574.7(a)(4), unless such a means has been provided to that distributor or dealer by another person or by a manufacturer. (d) Each distributor and each dealer shall immediately stop selling any group of tires when so directed by a notification issued pursuant to sections 151 and 152 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 1411 and 1412). (Authority: Secs. 108, 119, and 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1407, and 1421); sec. 4, Pub. L. 97–311, 96 Stat. 1619 (15 U.S.C. 1418); and delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50) [49 FR 4761, Feb. 8, 1984, as amended at 56 FR 49427, Sept. 30, 1991] (a) Each motor vehicle dealer who sells a used motor vehicle for purposes other than resale, who leases a motor vehicle for more than 60 days, that is equipped with new tires is considered, for purposes of this part, to be a tire dealer and shall meet the requirements specified in §574.8. (b) Each person selling a motor vehicle to first purchasers for purposes other than resale, that is equipped with new tires that were not on the motor vehicle when shipped by the vehicle manufacturer is considered a tire dealer for purposes of this part and shall meet the requirements specified in §574.8. (Authority: Secs. 103, 108, 112, 119, 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1397, 1401, 1407, 1421); secs. 102, 103, 104, Pub. L. 93–492, 88 Stat. 1470 (15 U.S.C. 1411–1420); 92 Stat. 2689 (15 U.S.C. 1418); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.51) [44 FR 7964, Feb. 8, 1979] Each motor vehicle manufacturer, or his designee, shall maintain a record of the new tires on or in each vehicle shipped by him or a motor vehicle distributor or dealer, and shall maintain a record of the name and address of the first purchaser for purposes other than resale of each vehicle equipped with such tires. These records shall be maintained for a period of not less than 5 years from the date of sale of the vehicle to the first purchaser for purposes other than resale. (Authority: Secs. 103, 108, 112, 119, 201, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1397, 1401, 1407, 1421); secs. 102, 103, 104, Pub. L. 93–492, 88 Stat. 1470 (15 U.S.C. 1411–1420); 92 Stat. 2689 (15 U.S.C. 1418); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.51) [44 FR 7964, Feb. 8, 1979, as amended at 67 FR 45872, July 10, 2002]
Title 49: Transportation
PART 574—TIRE IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDKEEPING
Section Contents
§ 574.1 Scope.
§ 574.2 Purpose.
§ 574.3 Definitions.
§ 574.4 Applicability.
§ 574.5 Tire identification requirements.
§ 574.6 Identification mark.
§ 574.7 Information requirements—new tire manufacturers, new tire brand name owners.
§ 574.8 Information requirements—tire distributors and dealers.
§ 574.9 Requirements for motor vehicle dealers.
§ 574.10 Requirements for motor vehicle manufacturers.
§ 574.1 Scope.
top
§ 574.2 Purpose.
top
§ 574.3 Definitions.
top
§ 574.4 Applicability.
top
§ 574.5 Tire identification requirements.
top
§ 574.6 Identification mark.
top
§ 574.7 Information requirements—new tire manufacturers, new tire brand name owners.
top
§ 574.8 Information requirements—tire distributors and dealers.
top
§ 574.9 Requirements for motor vehicle dealers.
top
§ 574.10 Requirements for motor vehicle manufacturers.
top
