Interpretation ID: aiam2422
South Dakota Highway Patrol
118 West Capital
Pierre
SD 57501;
Dear Colonel Eisnach: This is in response to your telephone conversation with Hugh Oates o this office regarding the possibility of obtaining an exemption for police vehicles from the suspension requirements of Standard No. 215, *Exterior Protection*.; You desire to have vehicles delivered from the manufacturer wit suspensions that raise the vehicle bumper height above the levels required by Standard No. 215 because of the heavy gear you carry in your vehicles.; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a advance notice of proposed rulemaking November 9, 1973, (38 FR 31017) concerning the applicability of Part 571, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, to vehicles designed for use by law-enforcement agencies. This notice specifically mentioned the feasibility of exempting police vehicles from the requirements of Standard No. 208 and Standard No. 215 and sought comments from the public.; After serious consideration of the issues involved, the NHTSA withdre the subject rulemaking on July 9, 1974, (39 FR 25240). That notice stated the NHTSA had determined that rulemaking action to exempt all police vehicles from the requirements of the standards would be inadvisable. a copy of both the advance notice and the withdrawal notice are enclosed for your information. These notices should explain to you the rationale behind the NHTSA's final determination concerning this subject.; In further response to your inquiry, the NHTSA is not authorized t grant an individual exemption from Federal safety standards for vehicles manufactured specifically for the South Dakota Highway Patrol.; Sincerely, Frank A. Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel