The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments and candidates for a proposed advisory committee that could recommend changes to federal tire safety standards affecting school buses, student transportation vans and other school district fleet vehicles.

The agency’s Oct. 27 Federal Register notice announces its intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Tire Safety. No changes to existing tire safety regulations are being proposed at this time. Instead, the committee would develop recommendations that could inform future federal rulemaking.

NHTSA said the review is intended to modernize tire safety standards as vehicle and tire technologies evolve, while addressing potentially outdated testing requirements and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

The committee would evaluate whether existing tire strength, bead unseating resistance and endurance tests remain effective. Other considerations include accommodating non-pneumatic or airless tire technology, updating tire markings and addressing load classifications for certain light-truck tires.

The review involves Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 109, 119 and 139. FMVSS 119 covers new tires for vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings exceeding 10,000 pounds, making it particularly relevant to full-size school buses. FMVSS No. 139 addresses radial tires for lighter vehicles, including smaller Type A school buses, and passenger cars and vans.

The potential implications extend beyond yellow school buses to smaller vehicles used for student transportation, as well as district-owned passenger cars, pickups, SUVs and other support vehicles commonly referred to as white fleets.

Any eventual regulatory changes could influence tire specifications and availability for school bus manufacturers and chassis suppliers. School transportation maintenance personnel could also see changes to tire markings, load ratings or replacement tire options.

The committee would have up to two years, unless extended, to develop recommendations. Any resulting proposed rule would be subject to a separate public comment process.

NHTSA proposes a committee of up to 18 representatives from tire and vehicle manufacturers, industry associations, safety organizations, research institutions and engineering groups. Qualified individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by an organization. Applications must include a supporting organizational letter, brief biography, description of the interests represented and commitment to participate.

Membership applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 27 and must be emailed to tiresfac@dot.gov. Public comments on the committee’s proposed scope and representation are also due Nov. 27.

Article written with the assistance of AI.

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