FMVSS 119: New Pneumatic Tires for Heavy Vehicles explained.

What FMVSS 119 says it is for

The eCFR heads this section "Standard No. 119; New pneumatic tires for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), specialty tires, and tires for motorcycles." 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 571.119 as current through October 29, 2026.

This standard establishes performance and marking requirements for tires for use on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), specialty tires, and tires for motorcycles. S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to provide safe operational performance levels for tires used on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, trailers, and motorcycles, and to place sufficient information on the tires to permit their proper selection and use.

What it applies to

The application section of the standard says:

This standard applies to: (a) New pneumatic tires for use on motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) manufactured after 1948; (b) New pneumatic light truck tires with a tread depth of 18/32 inch or greater, for use on motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less manufactured after 1948; (c) Tires for use on special-use trailers (ST, FI and 8-12 rim or lower diameter code); and (d) Tires for use on motorcycles manufactured after 1948.

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 571.119 has these top-level sections:

• S1: Scope
• S3: Application
• S4: Definitions
• S5: Tire and rim matching information
• S6: Requirements
• S7: Test procedures

In all, the text has 16 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 10 of 10):

• S6.1 Endurance
• S6.2 Strength
• S6.3 High speed performance
• S6.4 Treadwear indicators
• S6.5 Tire markings
• S6.6 Maximum load rating
• S7.1 General conditions
• S7.2 Endurance
• S7.3 Strength
• S7.4 High speed performance

Key requirements, quoted from the text

These are excerpts from the requirements sections of 571.119, 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 Tire and rim matching information. S5.1 Each manufacturer of tires shall ensure that a listing of the rims that may be used with each tire that he produces is provided to the public. For purposes of this section each rim listing shall include dimensional specifications and a diagram of the rim. However a listing compiled in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section need not include dimensional specifications or a diagram of a rim if the rim's dimensional specifications and diagram are contained in each listing published in accordance with paragraph (b) of this standard. The listing shall be in one of the following forms: (a) Listed by manufacturer name or brand name in a document furnished to dealers of the manufacturer's tires, to any person upon request, and in duplicate to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590; [...]

S6 Requirements. Each tire shall be capable of meeting any of the applicable requirements set forth below, when mounted on a model rim assembly corresponding to any rim designated by the tire manufacturer for use with the tire in accordance with S5. However, a particular tire need not meet further requirements after having been subjected to and met the endurance test (S6.1), strength test (S6.2), or high speed performance test (S6.3).

S6.1 Endurance. S6.1.1 Prior to testing in accordance with the procedures of S7.2, a tire shall exhibit no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking, or open splices. S6.1.2 When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.2: (a) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking, or open splices. (b) The tire pressure at the end of the test shall be not less than the initial pressure specified in S7.2(a).

S6.2 Strength. When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.3 a tire's average breaking energy value shall be not less than the value specified in Table II for that tire's size and load range.

S6.3 High speed performance. When tested in accordance with the procedures of S7.4, a tire shall meet the requirements set forth in S6.1.1 and S6.1.2(a) and (b). However, this requirement applies only to motorcycle tires and to non-speed-restricted tires of nominal rim diameter code 14.5 or less marked load range A, B, C, or D.

S6.4 Treadwear indicators. Except as specified in this paragraph, each tire shall have at least six treadwear indicators spaced approximately equally around the circumference of the tire that enable a person inspecting the tire to determine visually whether the tire has worn to a tread depth of 1.6 mm (one-sixteenth of an inch). Tires with a rim diameter code of 12 or smaller shall have at least three such treadwear indicators. Motorcycle tires shall have at least three such indicators which permit visual determination that the tire has worn to a tread depth of 0.8 mm (one-thirty-second of an inch).

S6.5 Tire markings. Except as specified in this paragraph, each tire shall be marked on each sidewall with the information specified in paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section. The markings shall be placed between the maximum section width (exclusive of sidewall decorations or curb ribs) and the bead on at least one sidewall, unless the maximum section width of the tire is located in an area which is not more than one-fourth of the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire. If the maximum section width falls within that area, the markings shall appear between the bead and a point one-half the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one sidewall. [...]

S7.1 General conditions. S7.1.1 The tests are performed using an appropriate new tube, tube valve and flap assembly (as required) that allows no loss of air for testing of tube-type tires under S7.2, S7.3, and S7.4, and tubeless tires under S7.3. S7.1.2 The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of S7.2 and S7.4 when conditioned to a temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) for 3 hours before the test is conducted, and with an ambient temperature maintained at 35 °C (95 °F) during all phases of testing. The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of S7.3 when conditioned at a temperature of 21 °C (70 °F) for 3 hours before the test is conducted.

S7.2 Endurance. (a) Mount the tire on a model rim assembly and inflate it to the inflation pressure corresponding to the maximum load rating marked on the tire. Use a single maximum load value when the tire is marked with both single and dual maximum load. (b) After conditioning the tire-rim assembly in accordance with S7.1.2, adjust the tire pressure to that specified in (a) immediately before mounting the tire rim assembly. (c) Mount the tire-rim assembly on an axle and press it against a flat-faced steel test wheel that is 1708 mm (67.23 inches) in diameter and at least as wide as the tread of the tire. (d) Apply the test load and rotate the test wheel as indicated in Table III for the type of tire tested conducting each successive phase of the test without interruption. [...]

S7.3 Strength. (a) Mount the tire on a model rim assembly and inflate it to the pressure corresponding to the maximum load, or maximum dual load where there is both a single and dual load marked on the tire. If the tire is tubeless, a tube may be inserted to prevent loss of air during the test in the event of puncture. (b) After conditioning the tire-rim assembly in accordance with S7.1.2, adjust the tire pressure to that specified in (a). (c) Force a cylindrical steel plunger, with a hemispherical end and of the diameter specified in Table I for the tire size, perpendicularly into a raised tread element as near as possible to the centerline of the tread, at a rate of 50 mm (2 inches) per minute, until the tire breaks or the plunger is stopped by the rim. [...]

S7.4 High speed performance. (a) Perform steps (a) through (c) of S7.2. (b) Apply a force of 88 percent of the maximum load rating marked on the tire (use single maximum load value when the tire is marked with both single and dual maximum loads), and rotate the test wheel at 250 rpm for 2 hours. (c) Remove the load, allow the tire to cool to 35 °C (95 °F), and then adjust the pressure to that marked on the tire for single tire use. (d) Reapply the same load, and without interruption or readjustment of inflation pressure, rotate the test wheel at 375 rpm for 30 minutes, then at 400 rpm for 30 minutes, and then at 425 rpm for 30 minutes. (e) Immediately after running the tire the required time, measure the tire inflation pressure. Remove the tire from the model rim assembly, and inspect the tire.

Defined terms

The standard defines 3 terms in its definitions section; the first 3 are quoted here from the eCFR.

• All terms defined in the Act and the rules and standards issued under its authority are used as defined therein.
• Light truck tire means a tire designated by its manuafacturer as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.
• Model rim assembly means a test device that (a) includes a rim which conforms to the published dimensions of a commercially available rim, (b) includes an air valve assembly when used for testing tubeless tires or an innertube and flap (as required) when used for testing tubetype tires, and (c) undergoes no permanent rim deformation and allows no loss of air through the portion that it comprises of the tire-rim pressure chamber when a tire is [...]

Limits of this page

This page quotes the text of 49 CFR 571.119 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 571.119, Standard No. 119; New pneumatic tires for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), specialty tires, and tires for motorcycles. (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)