Interpretation ID: nht71-2.3

DATE: 02/10/71

FROM: R.A. DIAZ -- NHTSA; SIGNATURE BY CLUE D. FERGUSON

TO: The Yokohama Rubber Company Inc.

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This will acknowledge your letter of December 30, 1970, requesting exemption from the requirements of Section 374,4, concerning the location of the required labeling between the maximum section width and the based, of Regulation Fact 374. Tire Identification and Recordkeeping. Your request is being(Illegible Word) as a petition for rulemaking under @ 353.551 of title 42 and by way of this letter is denied.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrative is requiring the location of the identification number because the maximum sections width and the based for two reasons. As you have currently cited the location is such as this labeling will not be remove in the retreading(Illegible Words). The second reason is that such a location will provide the maximum protection to(Illegible Word) that the number is not scuffed or(Illegible Word) off during the operation. In view of these reasons, you are not allowed to put the identification number in the space above the regular section width.

Your question concerning the height of the "DOT" for motorcycle tires is not applicable at this time. The symbol "DOT" cannot be used as motorcycle tires until there is an applicable standard. The(Illegible Word) for the standard covering these tires will be issued later this calender year and probably will not be effective until January 1, 1972.