Interpretation ID: aiam0596

Mr. E. G. Allison, Purchasing Agent, Lempco Industries, Inc., Metals Division, S. Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764; Mr. E. G. Allison
Purchasing Agent
Lempco Industries
Inc.
Metals Division
S. Main Street
New Lexington
OH 43764;

Dear Mr. Allison: This is in reply to your letter of January 18, 1972, on the subject o an automobile dealer's obligations regarding seatbelts in new cars.; Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 requires seatbelts to b installed at all seating positions. Under the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which we administer, it is a violation of the law to sell a vehicle that does not conform to an applicable standard. A dealer may not, therefore, sell an automobile that does not have the required number of seatbelts.; Although the act does not prevent the purchaser of a vehicle fro removing the belts, after he has completed the purchase, we strongly advise him to leave the belts in and to wear them. A dealer who removes the belts after he has sold the vehicle does not violate the law, but he does his customer a disservice.; Sincerely, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel