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Interpretation ID: nht70-1.34

DATE: 01/21/70

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Z. Taylor Vinson; NHTSA

TO: American Motors Corporation

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: In your letter of January 14 you discuss providing a right hand drive automobile to an "individual wish 'Diplomatic Status'". Since the car does not comply with Federal motor vehicle safety standards you ask if American Motors could "Sell such a vehicle for operation in the United States and could we deliver the vehicle and omit the safety plate."

Because section 108(a)(1) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 prohibits the sale of vehicles which do not comply(Illegible Line) delivery of this right hand drive automobile could not take place in the United States. If the sales contract is executed in England and the vehicle delivered in Canada, to name one possibility, there would be no objection to importation of the vehicle pursuant to the term of 10 C.F.R. @ 12.80(b)(2)(vi), assuming diplomatic eligibility of the importer. I enclose a copy of the importation regulation for your information. There is no requirement for affixation of the certification label under these circumstances. I am not aware of any law which would prohibit operation of a right hand drive vehicle in this country.