Notice2025-20343
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Annual Motor Vehicle and Child Restraint Compliance Information Requests
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Published
November 20, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Abstract
NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection. Before a federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a new collection of information, for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval, for obtaining motor vehicle model year and child restraint information that supports compliance programs administered by NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 222 (Thursday, November 20, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 222 (Thursday, November 20, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52484-52487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20343]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0016]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Annual Motor Vehicle and Child Restraint Compliance
Information Requests
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA or the
``Agency''), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments on the approval of a new
information collection.
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SUMMARY: NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new
information collection. Before a federal agency can collect certain
information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under
procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before
seeking OMB approval, federal agencies must solicit public comment on
proposed collections of information, including extensions and
reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document
describes a new collection of information, for which NHTSA intends to
seek OMB approval, for obtaining motor vehicle model year and child
restraint information that supports compliance programs administered by
NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC).
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2025-0016 through any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement, which DOT published in the Federal
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the street
address for DOT that is listed above. Follow the online instructions
for accessing dockets via the internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Maurice Hicks, Chief Crash Avoidance,
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NEF-210, (202) 366-5289, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, W43-504, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. OMB has promulgated
regulations describing what must be included in such a document. Under
OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public
comment on the following: (a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) how to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of
[[Page 52485]]
responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed collection of information for which
the Agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Annual Motor Vehicle and Child Restraint Compliance
Information Requests.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Number(s): (1) NHTSA Form 2042--Model Year Information Request
Form and (2) NHTSA Form 2043--Annual Child Restraint Response Form.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from the date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information: NHTSA is seeking approval
of a new information collection to allow the agency to collect
information from manufacturers of vehicles and child restraint systems
to aid the agency's efforts to enforce compliance with the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The information collection
request is for two annual information requests that will be sent to
manufacturers. NHTSA will use the manufacturers submissions to help
identify possible non-compliances.
NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) conducts
inspections and investigations through market surveillance aimed at
identifying possible non-compliances with the FMVSS pursuant to 49
U.S.C. 30166(b). To support its annual compliance testing programs,
OVSC issues information requests to manufacturers to obtain model year
and production data, technical specifications, and certification
details for vehicles and regulated equipment. The information collected
is used, along with other available information, to identify vehicles
and equipment for inclusion in OVSC's compliance testing programs,
considering factors such as high sales volumes, newly redesigned
platforms, emerging technologies, prior compliance failures, or the
focus of targeted investigations.
The first information collection is the ``Model Year Information
Request Letter,'' which is a standardized letter that OVSC plans to
send to manufacturers in March of each calendar year requesting
specific safety certification information and production estimates for
the upcoming model year and any early entrants for the following model
year. The letter also requests information on vehicle characteristics,
performance, and technologies used by manufacturers to comply with the
FMVSS and other regulations administered by NHTSA. Th letter and form
also seek information on optional and partial compliance plans for
manufacturers meeting standards with phase-in effective dates.
Additionally, the forms request information on carryover vehicles
(those having similar vehicle configurations to those manufactured in
previous model years) and on vehicles manufactured for individuals with
disabilities. Vehicle manufacturers are requested to provide the
information on complete and incomplete vehicles that have a Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs.) or less for each
vehicle line that is to be offered for sale in the United States during
the applicable model year. In addition to each letter, a standardized
template is also provided with a format for manufacturers to follow
when providing the requested information.
The second information collection is the ``Annual Child Restraint
Certification Information Request Letter.'' This document is a
standardized letter seeking data needed to select and test child
restraint systems (CRS) to the requirements in FMVSS No. 213, Child
restraint systems, FMVSS No. 213a, ``Child restraint systems--side
impact protection,'' and/or FMVSS No. 213b, ``Child restraint
systems.'' FMVSS No. 213, FMVSS No. 213a, and FMVSS 213b specify
labeling requirements and performance standards for several tests,
including frontal and side dynamic tests. The standards also have
criteria for component testing for webbing and buckles. To validate
manufacturer certifications of these products through NHTSA's test
program, information is requested on CRS offered for sale in the United
States. Although some of the needed information can be obtained through
market research, manufacturer data is necessary to select products for
testing and to properly test those products that are chosen by NHTSA.
The letter would request information including the style of the CRS,
identification information, estimated production volumes, costs, the
anthropomorphic test devices used to certify the CRS, certification and
other test data, and where the CRS can be purchased. Similar to the
model year request, a standardized template is also provided with each
CRS request letter in a format for manufacturers to use when providing
the requested information.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: The information collected will facilitate OVSC's
compliance verification program to ensure that manufacturers are
manufacturing motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment that meet
applicable safety performance requirements that are essential to
reducing or eliminating deaths and injuries on our Nation's roads. The
information requested in this collection includes information that is
used to: (1) carry out OVSC's compliance testing programs (for example,
to make selections of vehicles and equipment to test, determine what
testing to conduct, and/or pursue enforcement actions against makes and
models failing compliance testing); (2) ensure compliance programs are
up-to-date due to technological changes in vehicles and equipment; and
(3) assist in identifying the root causes for failures in suspected
noncompliant vehicles and equipment.
Affected Public: The affected public for this information
collection includes vehicle manufacturers and CRS manufacturers
required to comply with NHTSA's FMVSS and regulations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: On average, OVSC expects to send
the Model Year Information Request Letter and Model Year Information
Request Form to 26 respondents each year. OVSC expects to send the
Annual Child Restraint Certification Information Request Letter and
Annual Child Restraint Response Form to an average of 40 respondents
each year.
Frequency: Annual.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,456 hours.
NHTSA estimates that the total annual burden for these two
information collections will be a combined 1,456 hours. Table 1
provides the breakdown of the total estimated annual burden hours
associated with each information collection request. The table includes
a description of the activities involved in each of the collections,
the burden hours for the employees involved in each activity, the total
number of manufacturers providing the information, and the total
calculated burden hours for each activity.
[[Page 52486]]
Table 1--Respondent Burden Hours for Vehicle and Equipment and Child Restraint Information Requests
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Number of
Reporting type Burden hours respondents Total hours
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MODEL YEAR INFORMATION REQUESTS
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Manufacturers receive and process the Model Year Information 2 26 52
Request Letter--OMB No. 2042 and the Model Year Information
Request Form--OMB No. 2042.....................................
Manufacturers identify data sources for responding to 2 26 52
information requests. [Manufacturers have existing databases
with vehicle and equipment certifications, which they are
expected to use in responding to requests.]....................
Manufacturers create responses in accordance with OVSC's 8 26 208
reporting requirements and formats.............................
Manufacturers review responses for accuracy and completeness.... 8 26 208
Manufacturers submit their responses to the appropriate OVSC 1 26 26
division within the requested deadlines........................
Manufacturers make changes to their original responses and then 5 26 130
resubmit in response to any changes or additional information
requested by OVSC..............................................
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Subtotal.................................................... 26 26 676
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CHILD RESTRAINT INFORMATION REQUEST
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Manufacturers receive and process the Request for Annual Child 2 40 80
Restraint Certification Information Request Letter--OMB No.
2043 and the Annual Child Restraint Response Form--OMB No. 2043
Manufacturers identify data sources for responding to 2 40 80
information requests. [Manufacturers have existing databases
with child restraint certifications, and production information
to respond to requests.].......................................
Manufacturers create responses in accordance with OVSC's 4 40 160
reporting requirements and formats.............................
Manufacturers review responses for accuracy and completeness.... 8 40 320
Manufacturers submit their responses to the appropriate OVSC 1 40 40
division within the requested deadlines........................
Manufacturers make changes to their original responses and then 2.5 40 100
resubmit in response to any changes or additional information
requested by OVSC..............................................
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Subtotal.................................................... 19.5 40 780
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Total................................................... 45.5 \*\ 66 1,456
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* The total number of respondents includes those for the model year and child restraint information requests.
The labor costs associated with the burden hours are shown in Table
2. The costs are included in the table with a description of each
activity, the total burden costs of the employees involved in each
activity, the total number of manufacturers providing the information,
and the total calculated burden costs of each activity.
Table 2--Labor Costs for Vehicle and Equipment and Child Restraint Information Requests
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Number of
Reporting type Burden rate respondents Total costs
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MODEL YEAR INFORMATION REQUESTS
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Manufacturers receive and process the Model Year Information $70.47 26 $1,832.22
Request Letter--OMB No. 2042 and the Model Year Information
Request Form--OMB No. 2042.....................................
Manufacturers identify data sources for responding to 96.94 26 2,520.44
information requests. [Manufacturers have existing databases
with vehicle and equipment certifications, and production
information to respond to requests.]...........................
Manufacturers create responses in accordance with OVSC's 387.76 26 10,081.76
reporting requirements and formats.............................
Manufacturers review responses for accuracy and completeness.... 518.34 26 13,476.84
Manufacturers submit their responses to the appropriate OVSC 22.00 26 572.00
division within the requested deadlines........................
Manufacturers make changes to their original responses and then 281.17 26 7,310.42
resubmit in response to any changes or additional information
requested by OVSC..............................................
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Subtotal.................................................... 1,376.68 .............. 35,793.68
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CHILD RESTRAINT INFORMATION REQUEST
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Manufacturers receive and process the Request for Annual Child $70.47 40 $2,818.80
Restraint Certification Information Request Letter--OMB No.
2043 and the Annual Child Restraint Response Form--OMB No. 2043
[[Page 52487]]
Manufacturers identify data sources for responding to 96.94 40 3,877.60
information requests. [Manufacturers have existing databases
with child restraint certifications, and production information
to respond to requests.].......................................
Manufacturers create responses in accordance with OVSC's 193.88 40 7,755.20
reporting requirements and formats.............................
Manufacturers review responses for accuracy and completeness.... 518.34 40 20,733.60
Manufacturers submit their responses to the appropriate OVSC 22.00 40 880.00
division within the requested deadlines........................
Manufacturers make changes to their original responses and then 140.59 40 5,623.40
resubmit in response to any changes or additional information
requested by OVSC..............................................
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Subtotal.................................................... .............. .............. 41,688.60
Total................................................... NA 66 77,482.28
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LABOR RATES (based on May 2022 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, see <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000</a>).
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $77,482.28.
NHTSA estimates that there are no costs associated with the
collections other than labor costs associated with the burden hours.
Therefore, the annual burden costs associated with the hours for
recipients responding to requests contained within this collection is
$77,482.28.
Public comments invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including: (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the U.S. Department of Transportation (the
Department), including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of
the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.
Eileen Sullivan,
Associate Administer, Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2025-20343 Filed 11-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 20, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.