Current textIn force on Oct. 1, 2003Source: annual CFR editions 1996–2016

§ 396.7 Unsafe operations forbidden.

Current wording, first on file in the 1996 annual edition.

govinfo, 2003 edition ↗

Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 2003 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 2003 and Oct. 1, 2003 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.

49 CFR § 396.7 — Unsafe operations forbidden.. Text in force on October 1, 2003. This wording effective October 1, 1996 to present. Source: govinfo, 2003 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2003-title49-vol4/CFR-2003-title49-vol4-sec396-7. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/396.7?asof=2003-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) General. A motor vehicle shall not be operated in such a condition as to likely cause an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle.

(b) Exemption. Any motor vehicle discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated on the highway may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be effected. Such operation shall be conducted only if it is less hazardous to the public than to permit the vehicle to remain on the highway.

Amendment history

1 distinct wording on file since Oct. 1, 1996

Oct. 1, 1996 → presentannual editions 1996–2016viewing

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.