Interpretation ID: 86-4.24

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 07/28/86

FROM: ERIKA Z. JONES -- CHIEF COUNSEL NHTSA

TO: M. ARISAKA -- MANAGER, AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ENGINEERING CONTROL DEPARTMENT STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: LETTER DATED 06/18/86 TO ERIKA Z. JONES FROM M. ARISAKA

TEXT: Dear Mr. Arisaka:

This is in reply to your letter of June 18, 1986, in which you ask whether it is permissible to leave an inoperative center high-mounted stop lamp installed in a vehicle when an operative one is mounted on a spoiler at the rear of the car.

We assume that the new lamp fully complies with the requirements of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 for center high-mounted stop lamps. Our answer is that it is permissible to leave the inoperative lamp in place since its function has been assumed by a conforming lamp. We have no regulations that would either prohibit or require the removal of an inoperative lamp.

Sincerely,