49 U.S.C. § 33106: Exemption for passenger motor vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices

is in addition to the theft-deterrent devices required by motor vehicle safety standard numbered 114 in section 571.114 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; the manufacturer believes will be effective in reducing or deterring theft of motor vehicles; and does not use a signaling device reserved by State law for use on police, emergency, or official vehicles, or on schoolbuses. “standard equipment” means equipment already installed in a motor vehicle when it is delivered from the manufacturer and not an accessory or other item that the first purchaser customarily has the option to have installed. A manufacturer may petition the Secretary of Transportation for an exemption from a requirement of a standard prescribed under section 33102 or 33103 of this title for a line of passenger motor vehicles equipped as standard equipment with an anti-theft device that the Secretary decides is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the standard. for model year 1987, for not more than 2 lines of a manufacturer; for each of the model years 1988–1996, for not more than 2 additional lines of a manufacturer; for each of the model years 1997–2000, for not more than one additional line of a manufacturer; and for each of the model years after model year 2000, for the number of lines that the Attorney General decides under section 33103(d)(3) of this title . An additional exemption granted under paragraph (2)(B) or (C) of this subsection does not affect an exemption previously granted. a detailed description of the device; the reasons for the manufacturer’s conclusion that the device will be effective in reducing and deterring theft of motor vehicles; and additional information the Secretary reasonably may require to make the decision described in subsection (b)(1) of this section. The Secretary shall make a decision about a petition filed under this section not later than 120 days after the date the petition is filed. A decision approving a petition must be based on substantial evidence. The Secretary may approve a petition in whole or in part. If the Secretary does not make a decision within the 120-day period, the petition shall be deemed to be approved and the manufacturer shall be exempt from the standard for the line covered by the petition for the subsequent model year. for a model year after the model year in which the rescission occurs; and at least 6 months after the manufacturer receives written notice of the rescission from the Secretary.