§ 393.106 Front-end structure.
Wording first on file in the 1996 annual edition, superseded by the 2003 annual edition.
(a) General rule. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, every cargo-carrying motor vehicle must be equipped with a headerboard or similar device of sufficient strength to prevent load shifting and penetration or crushing of the driver's compartment.
(2) On and after the effective dates specified in paragraph (h) of this section, every cargo-carrying motor vehicle must have a front-end structure that conforms to the rules in this section.
(b) Location. The front-end structure must be located between the vehicle's cargo and the vehicle's driver.
(c) Height and width. The front-end structure must extend either to a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at which it blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being carried on the vehicle, whichever is lower. The front-end structure must have a width which is at least equal to the width of the vehicle or which blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being transported on the vehicle, whichever is narrower.
(d) Strength. The front-end structure must be capable of withstanding the horizontal forward static load specified in either paragraph (d) (1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For a front-end structure less than 6 feet in height, a horizontal forward static load equal to one half (1/2) of the weight of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire portion of the front-end structure that is within 4 feet above the vehicle's floor or that is at or below a height above the vehicle's floor at which it blocks forward movement of any item of the vehicle's cargo, whichever is less.
(2) For a front-end structure 6 feet in height or higher, a horizontal forward static load equal to four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire front-end structure.
(e) Penetration resistance. The front-end structure must be designed, constructed and maintained so that it is capable of resisting penetration by any item of cargo that contacts it when the vehicle decelerates at a rate of 20 feet per second per second. The front-end structure must have no aperture large enough to permit any item of cargo in contact with the structure to pass through it.
(f) Substitute devices. The requirements of this section may be met by the use of devices performing the same functions as a front-end structure, if the devices are at least as strong as, and provide protection against shifting cargo at least equal to, a front-end structure which conforms to those requirements.
(g) Exemptions. The following motor vehicles are exempt from the rules in this section:
(1) A vehicle which is designed and used exclusively to transport other vehicles, if each vehicle it transports is securely tied down by devices that conform to the requirements of § 393.102.
(2) A pole trailer or semitrailer being towed by a truck tractor that is equipped with a front-end structure that conforms to the rules in this section.
(3) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is equipped with a front-end structure that conforms to the requirements of this section for a front-end structure.
(4) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is loaded in such a manner that the cargo on the towing vehicle conforms to the requirements of this section for a front-end structure.
(5) The rules in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section do not apply to a motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1974.
(h) Effective dates. Cargo-carrying motor vehicles which are not exempted by paragraph (g) of this section must conform to the rules in this section as follows:
| If the vehicle was manufactured— | It must conform to the rules in paragraph— | On and after— |
|---|---|---|
| Before Jan. 1, 1974 | (a), (b), and (f) | October 1, 1973 or the date it was manu- factured, which-ever is later. |
| Before Jan. 1, 1974 | (c) | January 1, 1975. |
| On or after Jan. 1, 1974 | (a) through (f) inclusive | The date it was manufactured. |
Paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section do not apply to a motor vehicle that was manufactured before January 1, 1974.
Effective Date Note:
At 67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, subpart I to part 393 was revised effective December 26, 2002. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows.
Amendment history
4 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996- [67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 56208, Sept. 30, 2003; 71 FR 35833, June 22, 2006]
- [67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 56208, Sept. 30, 2003; 71 FR 35833, June 22, 2006]
- [67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 56208, Sept. 30, 2003]
A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.