§FMCSR.com
Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 1998Source: annual CFR editions 1996–1998

§ 393.86 Rear end protection.

Wording first on file in the 1996 annual edition, superseded by the 1999 annual edition.

govinfo, 1998 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 1998 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 1998 and Oct. 1, 1998 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
49 CFR § 393.86 — Rear end protection.. Text in force on October 1, 1998. This wording effective October 1, 1996 to October 1, 1999. Source: govinfo, 1998 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-1998-title49-vol4/CFR-1998-title49-vol4-sec393-86. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/393.86?asof=1998-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

Every motor vehicle, except truck-tractors, pole trailers, and vehicles engaged in driveaway-towaway operations, the date of manufacture of which is subsequent to December 31, 1952, which is so constructed that the body or the chassis assembly if without a body has a clearance at the rear end of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, shall be provided with bumpers or devices serving similar purposes which shall be so constructed and located that:

(a) The clearance between the effective bottom of the bumpers or devices and the ground shall not exceed 30 inches with the vehicle empty;

(b) The maximum distance between the closest points between bumpers, or devices, if more than one is used, shall not exceed 24 inches;

(c) The maximum transverse distance from the widest part of the motor vehicle at the rear to the bumper or device shall not exceed 18 inches;

(d) The bumpers or devices shall be located not more than 24 inches forward of the extreme rear of the vehicle; and

(e) The bumpers or devices shall be substantially constructed and firmly attached. Motor vehicles constructed and maintained so that the body, chassis, or other parts of the vehicle afford the rear end protection contemplated shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section.

Amendment history

8 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. March 23, 2026 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002; 86 FR 62111, Nov. 9, 2021; 91 FR 7877, Feb. 19, 2026]
  2. Feb. 19, 2026 → March 23, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002; 86 FR 62111, Nov. 9, 2021]
  3. Dec. 9, 2021 → Feb. 19, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002; 86 FR 62111, Nov. 9, 2021]
  4. Nov. 9, 2021 → Dec. 9, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002]
  5. Oct. 1, 2003 → Nov. 9, 2021annual editions 2003–2016diff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002]
  6. Oct. 1, 2001 → Oct. 1, 2003annual editions 2001–2002diff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999]
  7. Oct. 1, 1999 → Oct. 1, 2001annual editions 1999–2000diff vs. previous
    [64 FR 47708, Sept. 1, 1999]
  8. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 1999annual editions 1996–1998viewing

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.