On October 8, 2008, NHTSA published a final rule in the Federal Register at 73 FR 58887 amending the definition of the term, “designated seating position,” as used in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The final rule also establishes a calculation procedure for determining the number of designated seating positions at a seat location for trucks and MPVs with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs., passenger cars, and buses. The final rule also eliminates the existing exclusion of auxiliary seats (i.e., temporary or folding jump seats) from the definition of “designated seating position.”
While the amendments take effect December 8, 2008, compliance with the revised designated seating position definition and procedure for determining the number of designated seating positions is not required until September 1, 2010.
Petitions for reconsideration of the final rule are due November 24, 2008.
NHTSA contacts: Chris Wiacek, NHTSA Office of Crashworthiness Standards (202) 366-4801 and Ed Glancy, NHTSA Office of Chief Counsel (202) 366-2992.
Docket reference: NHTSA-2008-0059.
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