View all text of Chapter 325 [§ 32501 - § 32511]

§ 32511. Relationship to other motor vehicle standards
(a)Preemption.—Except as provided in this section, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or enforce a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.
(b)Enforcement.—This chapter and chapter 301 of this title do not affect the authority of a State to enforce a bumper standard about an aspect of performance of a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment not covered by a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title if the State bumper standard—
(1) does not conflict with a standard prescribed under chapter 301 of this title; and
(2) was in effect or prescribed by the State on October 20, 1972.
(c)Additional and Higher Standards of Performance.—The United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes additional or higher standards of performance than a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1047.)