The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an interim final rule (FR) under FMVSS 121: Air Brake Systems, extending for six months a requirement that trailers with anti-lock brake systems be equipped with an external anti-lock malfunction indicator lamp.
This requirement, which is included in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) that governs vehicles equipped with air brakes, was originally scheduled to sunset on March 1, 2009. As a result of this interim FR, the sunset date is Sept. 1, 2009. NHTSA is taking this action in connection with its consideration of a petition for rulemaking from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance requesting that this requirement be made permanent.
In a separate document, NHTSA is proposing a further extension of this requirement to March 1, 2011. This interim FR prevents the occurrence of a potential time gap for the vehicles that are subject to the requirement, should NHTSA ultimately decide to further extend the time period.