Who / What is NHTSA ? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) is an agency under the United States Department of Transportation ( DOT ). The mission of NHTSA is to save lives , prevent injuries , and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes through education , research , safety standards , and enforcement activities .
Why is NHTSA Significant to the Trailer Manufacturers and Dealers ? Over the last ten years , NHTSA has increased enforcement regarding vehicle compliance for specialty vehicle manufacturers . These include trailer manufacturers and dealers , some of whom have paid financial penalties for non-compliance ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars . NHTSA has also utilized consent orders requiring manufacturers to report and track safety concerns , non-compliance , and recalls more frequently . These consent orders include additional oversight for a period ranging from two to five years and are at the expense of the manufacturer .
The primary goal of NHTSA is to ensure the traveling public is safe . NHTSA understands that small businesses are one of the backbones of America , and government regulations can , at times , seem burdensome or intrusive to those businesses . They have stepped up their efforts to provide information and resources for small businesses to learn about these regulations . It can still be confusing for small and medium manufacturers that may not have dedicated resources for compliance .
Items Required by All Trailer Manufacturers Specific Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards ( FMVSS ) compliance requirements apply to trailers and to work trucks . The
FMVSS are specific to each type of vehicle being manufactured . Manufacturer registration and Vehicle Identification Numbers ( VIN ) are two requirements that apply to all manufacturers . All vehicle manufacturers must be registered with NHTSA , and they must issue VIN numbers to their vehicles . Trailers are considered a vehicle by NHTSA and require a 17-digit VIN that is used to identify and locate owners for recalls . Trailer manufacturers are required to submit a VIN decipher under Part 565 that identifies the manufacturer and specific characteristics of the trailer . These characteristics include length , number of axles , and type of trailer . To check for your manufacturer registration and to see if your VIN decipher submission is up to date , go to NHTSA ’ s website here : https :// vpic . nhtsa . dot . gov / mid /
At some point in their lives , most everyone receives a recall notification on a personal vehicle . Getting these recalls completed is in the best interest of the customer , the manufacturer , and the traveling public . For trailer manufacturers , this often requires collaboration with their dealers . Manufacturers are required to keep track of the first customer information in case of a recall . The manufacturer provides the recall remedy free of charge and is required to report recall completion rates for eight quarters , followed by an annual report for three additional years . To conduct a recall campaign , it is crucial the manufacturer has VIN information tied to the first owner ’ s information .
Lindsey Research Services has been helping manufacturers understand and comply with NHTSA regulations , requirements , and standards for over 25 years . Several retired NHTSA Division Chiefs work with Lindsey Research on a regular basis .
If you need help understanding or meeting any of these or other NHTSA requirements , please contact Lindsey Research at 703-307-2202 . For more information , you can visit lindseyresearch . com .
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