Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection, Seat Belt Reminder Systems
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This interim final rule delays the compliance dates of the January 2025 final rule that updated seat belt warning requirements in FMVSS No. 208. The front seat belt warning requirements, originally due September 1, 2026, and rear seat belt warning requirements, originally due September 1, 2027, are now both unified to September 1, 2028. Multi-stage manufacturers and alterers receive an additional year until September 1, 2029. The rule makes technical clarifications to regulatory text, denies most other requested changes, and responds to industry petitions citing insufficient lead time for hardware, software, and instrument panel redesigns. It became effective immediately on April 6, 2026, with comments due by May 21, 2026. Optional early compliance is allowed.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Compliance date for front and rear seat belt warning systems unified to September 1, 2028
- Multi-stage manufacturers and alterers given until September 1, 2029 to comply
- Effective date of interim final rule is April 6, 2026
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Implement front seat belt warning system requirements compliant with FMVSS No. 208 by September 1, 2028
Implement rear seat belt warning system requirements compliant with FMVSS No. 208 by September 1, 2028
Multi-stage manufacturers and alterers must comply with seat belt warning system requirements by September 1, 2029
Submit comments on this interim final rule to the Federal docket by May 21, 2026, if requesting changes or providing feedback
Include agency name and docket number (NHTSA-2026-0727) or RIN (2127-AM80) on all submissions to the regulatory docket