FMVSS 114: Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention explained.

What FMVSS 114 says it is for

The eCFR heads this section "Standard No. 114; Theft protection and rollaway prevention." Under 49 CFR part 571, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are the numbered standards that set safety performance requirements for motor vehicles and equipment. The text below is quoted from 571.114 as current through October 29, 2026.

This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles.

The purpose of this standard is to decrease the likelihood that a vehicle is stolen, or accidentally set in motion.

What it applies to

The application section of the standard says:

This standard applies to all passenger cars, and to trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. However, it does not apply to walk-in van-type vehicles. Additionally, paragraph S5.3 of this standard applies to all motor vehicles, except trailers and motorcycles, with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less.

Applicability is decided by the text of the standard as written, including any exclusions it lists, and by the date-specific rules in it. This page does not decide whether a particular vehicle or item is covered.

How the standard is organized

The eCFR text of 571.114 has these top-level sections:

• S1: Scope
• S2: Purpose
• S3: Application
• S4: Definitions
• S5: Requirements
• S6: Compliance test procedure for vehicles with transmissions with a “park” position

In all, the text has 15 numbered headings. Use the finder above to search them; for example, a search for "test" lists the headings that mention tests.

Second-level headings at a glance

These are the numbered sub-sections one level below the top, in order (first 5 of 5):

• S5.1 Theft protection
• S5.2 Rollaway prevention in vehicles equipped with transmissions with a “park” position
• S5.3 Brake transmission shift interlock
• S6.1 Test conditions
• S6.2 Test procedure

Key requirements, quoted from the text

These are excerpts from the requirements sections of 571.114, in the order the standard presents them. Long paragraphs are shortened where marked with [...]; the eCFR has the complete text, tables and figures, which this page omits.

S5 Requirements. Each vehicle subject to this standard must meet the requirements of S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3. Open-body type vehicles are not required to comply with S5.1.3.

S5.1 Theft protection. S5.1.1 Each vehicle must have a starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents: (a) The normal activation of the vehicle's engine or motor; and (b) Either steering, or forward self-mobility, of the vehicle, or both. S5.1.2 For each vehicle type manufactured by a manufacturer, the manufacturer must provide at least 1,000 unique key combinations, or a number equal to the total number of the vehicles of that type manufactured by the manufacturer, whichever is less. The same combinations may be used for more than one vehicle type. S5.1.3 Except as specified below, an audible warning to the vehicle operator must be activated whenever the key is in the starting system and the door located closest to the driver's designated seating position is opened. [...]

S5.2 Rollaway prevention in vehicles equipped with transmissions with a “park” position. S5.2.1 Except as specified in S5.2.3, the starting system required by S5.1 must prevent key removal when tested according to the procedures in S6, unless the transmission or gear selection control is locked in “park” or becomes locked in “park” as a direct result of key removal. S5.2.2 Except as specified in S5.2.4, the vehicle must be designed such that the transmission or gear selection control cannot move from the “park” position, unless the key is in the starting system.

S5.2.3 Key removal override option. At the option of the manufacturer, the key may be removed from the starting system without the transmission or gear selection control in the “park” position under one of the following conditions: (a) In the event of electrical failure, including battery discharge, the vehicle may permit key removal from the starting system without the transmission or gear selection control locked in the “park” position; or (b) Provided that steering or self-mobility is prevented, the vehicle may have a device by which the user can remove the key from the starting system without the transmission or gear selection control locked in “park.” This device must require: (i) The use of a tool, and (ii) Simultaneous activation of the device and removal of the key; [...]

S5.2.4 Gear selection control override option. The vehicle may have a device by which the user can move the gear selection control from “park” after the key has been removed from the starting system. This device must be operable by one of the three options below: (a) By use of the key; or (b) By a means other than the key, provided steering or forward self-mobility is prevented when the key is removed from the starting system. Such a means must require: (i) The use of a tool, and (ii) Simultaneous activation of this means and movement of the gear selection control from “park;” or (c) By a means other than the key, provided steering or forward self-mobility is prevented when the key is removed from the starting system. [...]

S5.3 Brake transmission shift interlock. Each motor vehicle manufactured on or after September 1, 2010 with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less with an automatic transmission that includes a “park” position shall be equipped with a system that requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of “park.” This system shall function in any starting system key position in which the transmission can be shifted out of “park.” This section does not apply to trailers or motorcycles.

S6.2 Test procedure. S6.2.1 (a) Activate the starting system using the key. (b) Move the gear selection control to any gear selection position or any other position where it will remain without assistance, including a position between any detent positions, except for the “park” position. (c) Attempt to remove the key in each gear selection position. S6.2.2 (a) Drive the vehicle forward up a 10 percent grade and stop it with the service brakes. (b) Apply the parking brake (if present). (c) Move the gear selection control to “park.” (d) Note the vehicle position. (e) Release the parking brake. Release the service brakes. (f) Remove the key. (g) Verify that the gear selection control or transmission is locked in “park.” (h) Verify that the vehicle, at rest, has moved no more than 150 mm from the position noted prior to release of the brakes. S6.2.3 (a) Drive the vehicle forward down a 10 percent grade and stop it with the service brakes. (b) Apply the parking brake (if present). (c) Move the gear selection control to “park.” (d) Note the vehicle position. (e) Release the parking brake. [...]

Defined terms

The standard defines 5 terms in its definitions section; the first 5 are quoted here from the eCFR.

• Combination means a variation of the key that permits the starting system of a particular vehicle to be operated.
• Key means a physical device or an electronic code which, when inserted into the starting system (by physical or electronic means), enables the vehicle operator to activate the engine or motor.
• Open-body type vehicle means a vehicle having no occupant compartment doors or vehicle having readily detachable occupant compartment doors.
• Starting system means the vehicle system used in conjunction with the key to activate the engine or motor.
• Vehicle type, as used in S5.1.2, refers to passenger car, truck, or multipurpose passenger vehicle, as those terms are defined in 49 CFR 571.3.

Limits of this page

This page quotes the text of 49 CFR 571.114 as published in the eCFR, current through October 29, 2026. It omits tables, figures, cross-referenced test procedures in other parts, and the preambles and rulemaking history that explain the rule. It does not tell you whether a given vehicle, part or product complies, how to run a test, or what a manufacturer must certify. Compliance questions go to the manufacturer's engineers, qualified counsel or NHTSA. The eCFR is an editorial compilation, not the official legal edition of the Federal Register.

Sources

Sources opened and read November 2, 2026.

• eCFR: 49 CFR 571.114, Standard No. 114; Theft protection and rollaway prevention. (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)
• eCFR: 49 CFR part 571, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)