NHTSA Plans Negotiated Rulemaking Panel on Tire Safety Standards
NHTSA said it intends to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Tire Safety under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The committee would work toward consensus recommendations to modernize tire requirements and test procedures under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
The agency said the effort follows a 2019 advance notice on tire standards and stakeholder comments calling for changes to tire strength, bead unseating resistance and endurance tests in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 109, 119 and 139. The committee would also look at non-pneumatic tires, tire markings and a Tire and Rim Association petition on Load Range F light truck tires.
NHTSA proposed up to 18 members split among tire manufacturers and retailers, vehicle makers, equipment trade associations, safety organizations, research institutions and engineering associations, plus a nonvoting NHTSA representative. Members would serve two-year terms without pay. The charter would run up to two years, after which NHTSA said it intends to issue a proposed rule based on any consensus reached.
The notice asks for comments on the committee's scope and representation balance, and for applications from people who want to serve.
What's next
- 2026-11-26: Deadline for public comments on the proposed committee.
- 2026-11-26: Deadline for membership applications, due 5 p.m. ET.
- Watch for NHTSA's decision on final committee membership and the first scheduled meeting.
All sources
- Notice (public inspection): Charter Amendments, Establishments, Renewals and Terminations: Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Tire Safety; Requests for Nominations — Federal Register public inspection (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), 2026-10-27
