What are the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)?

What are the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)?

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are prescriptive U.S. federal regulations specifying design, construction, performance, and durability requirements for motor vehicles. The safety standards establish minimum performance requirements for manufacturers and the equipment used to make a vehicle. In turn, this helps minimize risks of death or injury and prevents accidents caused by faulty equipment from occurring.

FMVSS are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The FMVSS are the U.S. counterpart to United Nations regulations developed by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. Canada has their own system of rules called the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), which overlap some with FMVSS content and structure.

Why are FMVSS regulations important?

FMVSS regulations apply to all motor vehicles and regulated motor vehicle equipment manufactured for sale in the U.S., with some exceptions. These safety standards ensure that purchased vehicles are designed with driver and passenger safety in mind and manufactured with trustworthy equipment.

While the FMVSS establishes minimum safety standards, many manufacturers exceed the standards to enhance the safety and comfort of their vehicles. Advanced safety features like pedestrian detection systems and lane departure warnings are found in luxury passenger vehicles. Manufacturers can bring these features to market as long as no regulations are preventing them from doing so.

What are the different FMVSS safety categories?

The FMVSS sets requirements for safety-related components, systems, and design features. These can range from fuel systems to brake hoses to head restraints. The safety standards are divided into three categories: crash avoidance, crashworthiness, and post-crash survivability. 

Crash avoidance standards

The crash avoidance standards include:

• Controls and displays in the vehicle

• Transmission system

• Windshield defrosting, windshield wiping, defogging systems, and washing systems

• Brake systems (air brake systems, motorcycle brakes, electric brake systems)

• Lamps, headlamps, and reflective devices (rearview mirrors, side mirrors)

• Tires and rims (tire selection, tire pressure monitoring systems)

• Warning devices 

• Theft protection

• Hood latch system

• Accelerator control systems

• Power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems

• Electronic stability control systems

Crashworthiness

The crashworthiness standards covers:

• Occupant crash protection in interior impact

• Head restraints

• Door locks and door retention 

• Steering control systems

• Impact protection (side impact protection, airbags, rear impact protection)

• Seating systems

• Seat belt assemblies and anchorages

• Windshield mounting, glazing materials, windshield zone intrusion

• Child restraint systems

• Roof crush resistance

• Bus and school bus protections (rollover protection, body joint strength)

Post-crash survivability

The post-crash survivability standards span:

• Fuel system integrity

• Flammability of interior materials

• Compressed natural gas fuel container integrity

• Electric-powered vehicles

There are also miscellaneous regulations on interior trunk release, platform lift systems, and low-speed vehicles.

What are the recent updates to the safety standards?  

The NHTSA regularly assesses the need for new safety standards in response to evolving vehicle technologies and safety concerns. Most recently, three new standards were announced in 2024:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (FMVSS No. 127): In April 2024, NHTSA finalized a rule requiring all passenger cars and light trucks to be equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems by September 2029. This mandate aims to reduce rear-end and pedestrian collisions, with NHTSA projecting it will save at least 360 lives and prevent 24,000 injuries annually.

• Electric-Powered Vehicles (FMVSS No. 305a): In December 2024, NHTSA established FMVSS No. 305a, titled "Electric-powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity," which replaces the previous FMVSS No. 305. The new standard keeps all existing rules and now applies to vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds, covering heavier vehicles that were previously excluded.

• Child Restraint Systems (FMVSS Nos. 213a and 213b): In October 2024, NHTSA updated FMVSS No. 213 to add side impact safety rules for child car seats made for children up to 40 pounds. The new FMVSS No. 213a lays out these side impact requirements. Another update, FMVSS No. 213b, improves the test seat used to check if child car seats meet frontal crash safety standards.

Take vehicle safety to the next level with Samsara  

Meeting FMVSS requirements is essential for ensuring vehicle safety and compliance, but fleets can take safety even further with Samsara’s advanced solutions. Samsara’s AI-powered dash cams, real-time telematics, and driver coaching tools help fleets proactively prevent accidents, monitor compliance, and improve overall safety. By integrating these technologies, fleets not only align with FMVSS standards but also enhance their ability to protect drivers, reduce risk, and create a safer road environment for everyone.