[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR543.7]

[Page 120]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 543--EXEMPTION FROM VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION STANDARD--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 543.7  Processing an exemption petition.

    (a) NHTSA processes any complete petition. If a manufacturer submits 
a petition that does not contain all the information required by this 
part, NHTSA informs the manufacturer of the areas of insufficiency and 
advises the manufacturer that the agency does not process the petition 
until it receives the required information.
    (b) The agency grants a petition for an exemption from the parts-
marking requirements of part 541 either in whole or in part, if it 
determines that, based upon substantial evidence, the standard equipment 
antitheft device is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring 
motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of 
part 541.
    (c) The agency issues its decision either to grant or deny an 
exemption petition not later than 120 days after the date on which a 
complete petition is filed.
    (d) Any exemption granted under this part applies only to the 
vehicle line or lines that are the subject of the grant, and are 
equipped with the antitheft device on which the line's exemption was 
based.
    (e) An exemption granted under this part is effective for the model 
year beginning after the model year in which NHTSA issue the notice of 
exemption, unless the notice of exemption specifies a later model year.
    (f) NHTSA publishes a notice of its decision to grant or deny an 
exemption petition in the Federal Register, and notifies the petitioner 
in writing of the agency's decision.