
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC30122]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
                             PART A--GENERAL
 
                    CHAPTER 301--MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
 
                 SUBCHAPTER II--STANDARDS AND COMPLIANCE
 
Sec. 30122. Making safety devices and elements inoperative

    (a) Definition.--In this section, ``motor vehicle repair business'' 
means a person holding itself out to the public to repair for 
compensation a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.
    (b) Prohibition.--A manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or motor 
vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a 
device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor 
vehicle equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety 
standard prescribed under this chapter unless the manufacturer, 
distributor, dealer, or repair business reasonably believes the vehicle 
or equipment will not be used (except for testing or a similar purpose 
during maintenance or repair) when the device or element is inoperative.
    (c) Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation may prescribe 
regulations--
        (1) to exempt a person from this section if the Secretary 
    decides the exemption is consistent with motor vehicle safety and 
    section 30101 of this title; and
        (2) to define ``make inoperative''.

    (d) Nonapplication.--This section does not apply to a safety belt 
interlock or buzzer designed to indicate a safety belt is not in use as 
described in section 30124 of this title.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 956.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
30122(a)..............................  15:1397(a)(2)(A) (last           Sept. 
9, 1966, Pub. L. 89-563, 80 Stat.
                                         sentence).                       718, 
Sec.  108(a)(2)(A)- (C); added
                                                                          Oct. 
27, 1974, Pub. L. 93-492, Sec.
                                                                          103(a
) (1)(A), 88 Stat. 1477.
30122(b)..............................  15:1397(a)(2)(A) (1st
                                         sentence).
30122(c)..............................  15:1397(a)(2)(B).
30122(d)..............................  15:1397(a)(2)(C).
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---------------------------------

    In subsections (a) and (c), the words ``the term'' are omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (a), the words ``in the business of'' are omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (b), the words ``an applicable motor vehicle safety 
standard prescribed under this chapter'' are substituted for ``an 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard'' for consistency. The 
words ``of design'' the 2d time they appear and ``rendered'' are omitted 
as surplus.
    In subsection (c)(1), the words ``section 30101 of this title'' are 
substituted for ``the purposes of this chapter'' as being more precise.
    In subsection (d), the words ``with respect . . . the rendering 
inoperative of'' are omitted as surplus.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 30141, 30165 of this title.
