FMVSS 208: Occupant crash protection explained.

What FMVSS 208 says it is for

The eCFR heads this section "Standard No. 208; Occupant crash protection." 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 571.208 as current through October 29, 2026.

This standard specifies performance requirements for the protection of vehicle occupants in crashes.

The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths of vehicle occupants, and the severity of injuries, by specifying vehicle crashworthiness requirements in terms of forces and accelerations measured on anthropomorphic dummies in test crashes, and by specifying equipment requirements for active and passive restraint systems.

What it applies to

The application section of the standard says:

(a) This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks designed to carry at least one person, and buses. In addition, S9, Pressure vessels and explosive devices, applies to vessels designed to contain a pressurized fluid or gas, and to explosive devices, for use in the above types of motor vehicles as part of a system designed to provide protection to occupants in the event of a crash.

(b) Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, any vehicle manufactured after March 19, 1997, and before September 1, 2006, that is subject to a dynamic crash test requirement conducted with unbelted dummies may meet the requirements specified in S5.1.2(a)(1), S5.1.2(a)(2), or S13 instead of the applicable unbelted requirement, unless the vehicle is certified to meet the requirements specified in S14.5, S15, S17, S19, S21, S23, and S25.

(c) For vehicles which are certified to meet the requirements specified in S13 instead of the otherwise applicable dynamic crash test requirement conducted with unbelted dummies, compliance with S13 shall, for purposes of Standards No. 201, 203 and 209, be deemed as compliance with the unbelted frontal barrier requirements of S5.1.2.

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 571.208 has these top-level sections:

• S1: Scope
• S2: Purpose
• S3: Application
• S4: General requirements
• S5: Occupant crash protection requirements for the 50th percentile adult male dummy
• S6: Injury criteria for the part 572, subpart E, Hybrid III test dummy
• S7: Seat belt assembly requirements
• S8: Test conditions
• S9: Pressure vessels and explosive devices
• S10: Test dummy positioning procedures
• S12: Temporary Exemption from Requirement for Inflatable Restraint System
• S13: Alternative unbelted test available, under S3(b) of this standard, for certain vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2006
• S14: Advanced air bag requirements for passenger cars and for trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 3,855 kg (8500 pounds) or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2,495 kg (5500 pounds) or less, except for walk-in van-type trucks or vehicles designed to be sold exclusively to the U.S. Postal Service
• S15: Rigid barrier test requirements using 5th percentile adult female dummies
• S16: Test procedures for rigid barrier test requirements using 5th percentile adult female dummies
• S17: Offset frontal deformable barrier requirements using 5th percentile adult female test dummies
• S18: Test procedure for offset frontal deformable barrier requirements using 5th percentile adult female dummies
• S19: Requirements to provide protection for infants in rear facing and convertible child restraints and car beds
• S20: Test procedure for S19
• S21: Requirements using 3-year-old child dummies
• S22: Test procedure for S21
• S23: Requirements using 6-year-old child dummies
• S24: Test procedure for S23
• S25: Requirements using an out-of-position 5th percentile adult female dummy at the driver position
• S26: Procedure for low risk deployment tests of driver air bag
• S27: Option for dynamic automatic suppression system that suppresses the air bag when an occupant is out-of-position
• S28: Test procedure for S27 of this standard
• S29: Manufacturer option to certify vehicles to certain static suppression test requirements using human beings rather than test dummies

In all, the text has 299 numbered headings. Use the finder above to search them; for example, a search for "test" lists the headings that mention tests.

Key requirements, quoted from the text

These are excerpts from the requirements sections of 571.208, in the order the standard presents them. Long paragraphs are shortened where marked; the eCFR has the complete text, tables and figures, which this page omits.

S4.1.1 Passenger cars manufactured from January 1, 1972, to August 31, 1973. Each passenger car manufactured from January 1, 1972, to August 31, 1973, inclusive, shall meet the requirements of S4.1.1.1, S4.1.1.2, or S4.1.1.3. A protection system that meets the requirements of S4.1.1.1, or S4.1.1.2 may be installed at one or more designated seating positions of a vehicle that otherwise meets the requirements of S4.1.1.3.

S4.2 Trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. As used in this section, vehicles manufactured for operation by persons with disabilities means vehicles that incorporate a level change device (e.g., a wheelchair lift or a ramp) for onloading or offloading an occupant in a wheelchair, an interior element of design intended to provide the vertical clearance necessary to permit a person in a wheelchair to move between the lift or ramp and the driver's position or to occupy that position, and either an adaptive control or special driver's seating accommodation to enable persons who have limited use of their arms or legs to operate a vehicle. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S5.1.1 Belted test. (a) Vehicles not certified to S14. Impact a vehicle traveling longitudinally forward at any speed, up to and including 48 km/h (30 mph), into a fixed rigid barrier that is perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, and at any angle up to 30 degrees in either direction from the perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, under the applicable conditions of S8 and S10. The test dummy specified in S8.1.8 placed in each front outboard designated seating position shall meet the injury criteria of S6.1, S6.2(a), S6.3, S6.4(a), and S6.5 of this standard. (b) Vehicles certified to S14—(1) Vehicles certified to S14.1 or S14.2. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S5.2 Lateral moving barrier crash test. Impact a vehicle laterally on either side by a barrier moving at 20 mph under the applicable conditions of S8. The test dummy specified in S8.1.8 positioned in the front outboard designated seating position adjacent to the impacted side shall meet the injury criteria of S6.2 and S6.3 of this standard.

S6.2 Head injury criteria. (a)(1) For any two points in time, t1 and t2, during the event which are separated by not more than a 36 millisecond time interval and where t1 is less than t2, the head injury criterion (HIC36) shall be determined using the resultant head acceleration at the center of gravity of the dummy head, ar, expressed as a multiple of g (the acceleration of gravity) and shall be calculated using the expression: (2) The maximum calculated HIC36 value shall not exceed 1,000. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S6.4 Chest deflection. (a) Compressive deflection of the sternum relative to the spine shall not exceed 76 mm (3.0 in). (b) Compressive deflection of the sternum relative to the spine shall not exceed 63 mm (2.5 in).

S7 Seat belt assembly requirements. As used in this section, a law enforcement vehicle means any vehicle manufactured primarily for use by the United States or by a State or local government for police or other law enforcement purposes.

S7.2 Latch mechanism. Except as provided in S7.2(e), each seat belt assembly installed in any vehicle shall have a latch mechanism that complies with the requirements specified in S7.2(a) through (d). (a) The components of the latch mechanism shall be accessible to a seated occupant in both the stowed and operational positions; (b) The latch mechanism shall release both the upper torso restraint and the lap belt simultaneously, if the assembly has a lap belt and an upper torso restraint that require unlatching for release of the occupant; (c) The latch mechanism shall release at a single point; and; (d) The latch mechanism shall release by a pushbutton action.

S8.1 General conditions. The following conditions apply to the frontal, lateral, and rollover tests. Except for S8.1.1(d), the following conditions apply to the alternative unbelted sled test set forth in S13 from March 19, 1997 until September 1, 2001.

S8.2 Lateral moving barrier crash test conditions. The following conditions apply to the lateral moving barrier crash test.

S9.1 Pressure vessels. A pressure vessel that is continuously pressurized shall conform to the requirements of §§ 178.65(a), 178.65(c)(2), 178.65(d), 178.65(e)(1), and 178.65(e)(2) of this title; and to the pressure relief device requirements of §§ 173.301(a)(2), 173.301(a)(3) and 173.301(f) of this title. It shall not leak or evidence visible distortion when tested in accordance with § 178.65(f)(1) of this title and shall not fail in any of the ways enumerated in § 178.65(f)(2) of this title when hydrostatically tested to destruction. It shall not crack when flattened in accordance with § 178.65(g) of this title to the limit specified in § 178.65(g)(4) of this title.

S9.2 Explosive devices. An explosive device shall not exhibit any of the characteristics prohibited by § 173.54 of this title. All explosive material shall be enclosed in a structure that is capable of containing the explosive energy without sudden release of pressure except through overpressure relief devices or parts designed to release the pressure during actuation.

S10.1 Head. The transverse instrumentation platform of the head shall be level within 1/2 degree. To level the head of the test dummy, the following sequences must be followed. First, adjust the position of the H point within the limits set forth in S10.4.2.1 to level the transverse instrumentation platform of the head of the test dummy. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the pelvic angle of the test dummy within the limits specified in S10.4.2.2 of this standard. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S12.1 Scope. This section establishes procedures for filing and processing applications for temporary exemption from the requirements in this standard that vehicles be equipped with inflatable restraint systems.

S12.3 Standard of review. In order to receive a temporary exemption from the inflatable restraint requirement, a vehicle manufacturer must demonstrate in its application that there has been a disruption in the supply of one or more inflatable restraint system components, or a disruption in the use and installation by the manufacturer of any such component due to unavoidable events not under the control of the manufacturer, which will prevent a manufacturer from meeting its anticipated production volume of vehicles with inflatable restraint systems.

S12.4 Exemption applications—General requirements. Each application for a temporary exemption from the inflatable restraint requirements must— (a) Be written in the English language; (b) Be submitted in three copies to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; (c) State the full name and address of the manufacturer, the nature of its organization (individual, partnership, corporation, etc.), and the name of the State or country under the laws of which it is organized; (d) Identify the motor vehicle line or lines for which the temporary exemption is being sought;

S13.1 Instrumentation for Impact Test—Part 1—Electronic Instrumentation. Under the applicable conditions of S8, mount the vehicle on a dynamic test platform at the vehicle attitude set forth in S13.3, so that the longitudinal center line of the vehicle is parallel to the direction of the test platform travel and so that movement between the base of the vehicle and the test platform is prevented. The test platform is instrumented with an accelerometer and data processing system having a frequency response of 60 channel class as specified in SAE Recommended Practice J211/1 MAR95 (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5). The accelerometer sensitive axis is parallel to the direction of test platform travel. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S13.2 Neck injury criteria. A vehicle certified to this alternative test requirement shall, in addition to meeting the criteria specified in S13.1, meet the following injury criteria for the neck, measured with the six axis load cell (ref. Denton drawing C-1709) that is mounted between the bottom of the skull and the top of the neck as shown in Drawing 78051-218, in the unbelted sled test: (a) Flexion Bending Moment (calculated at the occipital condyle)—190 Nm. SAE Class 600. (b) Extension Bending Moment (calculated at the occipital condyle)—57 Nm. SAE Class 600. (c) Axial Tension—3300 peak N. SAE Class 1000. (d) Axial Compression—4000 peak N. SAE Class 1000.

S14.1 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2003, and before September 1, 2006. (a) For vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States on or after September 1, 2003, and before September 1, 2006, a percentage of the manufacturer's production, as specified in S14.1.1, shall meet the requirements specified in S14.5.1(a), S14.5.2, S15.1, S15.2, S17, S19, S21, S23, and S25 (in addition to the other requirements specified in this standard). (b) Manufacturers that sell three or fewer carlines, as that term is defined at 49 CFR 585.4, in the United States may, at the option of the manufacturer, meet the requirements of this paragraph instead of paragraph (a) of this section. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S14.2 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements specified in S14.5.1(a), S14.5.2, S15.1, S15.2, S17, S19, S21, S23, and S25 (in addition to the other requirements specified in this standard).

S15.1 Belted Test. (a) Each vehicle that is certified as complying with S14.1 or S14.2 shall, at each front outboard designated seating position, meet the injury criteria specified in S15.3 when tested under S16.1(a)(1). (b) Each vehicle that is certified as complying with S14.6 or S14.7 shall, at each front outboard designated seating position, meet the injury criteria specified in S15.3 when tested under S16.1(a)(2).

S15.2 Unbelted test. Each vehicle that is certified as complying with S14 shall, at each front outboard designated seating position, meet the injury criteria specified in S15.3 of this standard when the vehicle is crash tested in accordance with the procedures specified in S16.1(b) of this standard with the anthropomorphic test devices unbelted.

S16.1 General provisions. Crash testing to determine compliance with the requirements of S15 of this standard is conducted as specified in the following paragraphs (a) and (b). (a) Belted test—(1) Vehicles certified to S14.1 or S14.2. Place a 49 CFR Part 572 Subpart O 5th percentile adult female test dummy at each front outboard seating position of a vehicle, in accordance with the procedures specified in S16.3 of this standard. Impact the vehicle traveling longitudinally forward at any speed, up to and including 48 km/h (30 mph), into a fixed rigid barrier that is perpendicular within a tolerance of ±5 degrees to the line of travel of the vehicle under the applicable conditions of S16.2 of this standard. (2) Vehicles certified to S14.6 or S14.7. [excerpt continues in the eCFR]

S17 Offset frontal deformable barrier requirements using 5th percentile adult female test dummies. Each vehicle that is certified as complying with S14 shall, at each front outboard designated seating position, meet the injury criteria specified in S15.3 of this standard when the vehicle is crash tested in accordance with the procedures specified in S18 of this standard with the anthropomorphic test devices restrained by a Type 2 seat belt assembly.

S18.1 General provisions. Place a 49 CFR Part 572 Subpart O 5th percentile adult female test dummy at each front outboard seating position of a vehicle, in accordance with the procedures specified in S16.3 of this standard. Impact the vehicle traveling longitudinally forward at any speed, up to and including 40 km/h (25 mph), into a fixed offset deformable barrier under the conditions and procedures specified in S18.2 of this standard, impacting only the left side of the vehicle.

S18.2.1 Offset frontal deformable barrier. The offset frontal deformable barrier shall conform to the specifications set forth in Subpart C of part 587 of this chapter.

S19.2 Option 1—Automatic suppression feature. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements specified in S19.2.1 through S19.2.3.

S19.3 Option 2—Low risk deployment. Each vehicle shall meet the injury criteria specified in S19.4 of this standard when any front outboard passenger air bag is deployed in accordance with the procedures specified in S20.4.

S21.2 Option 1—Automatic suppression feature. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements specified in S21.2.1 through S21.2.3.

S23.2 Option 1—Automatic suppression feature. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements specified in S23.2.1 through S23.2.3.

S25.2 Option 1—Dynamic automatic suppression system that suppresses the air bag when the driver is out of position. (This option is available under the conditions set forth in S27.1.) The vehicle shall be equipped with a dynamic automatic suppression system for the driver air bag which meets the requirements specified in S27.

S27.1 Availability of option. This option is available for either air bag, singly or in conjunction, subject to the requirements of S27, if: (a) A petition for rulemaking to establish dynamic automatic suppression system test procedures is submitted pursuant to subpart B of part 552 and a test procedure applicable to the vehicle is added to S28 pursuant to the procedures specified by that subpart, or (b) A test procedure applicable to the vehicle is otherwise added to S28.

Test conditions and procedures as stated

These excerpts come from headings of 571.208 that cover test conditions, procedures or similar subjects.

S8.1 General conditions. The following conditions apply to the frontal, lateral, and rollover tests. Except for S8.1.1(d), the following conditions apply to the alternative unbelted sled test set forth in S13 from March 19, 1997 until September 1, 2001.

S8.2 Lateral moving barrier crash test conditions. The following conditions apply to the lateral moving barrier crash test.

S8.3 Rollover test conditions. The following conditions apply to the rollover test.

S8.4 Frontal test condition. If the vehicle is equipped with a cutoff device permitted by S4.5.4 of this standard, the device is deactivated.

Defined terms

The standard defines 10 terms in its definitions section. Definitions are quoted from the eCFR.

• For purposes of S4.4, the following definitions apply:
• Over-the-road bus means a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment, except a school bus.
• Perimeter-seating bus means a bus, which is not an over-the-road bus, that has 7 or fewer designated seating positions that are forward-facing or can convert to forward-facing without the use of tools, and are rearward of the driver's designated seating position or rearward of the outboard designated seating position(s) in the front row of seats, if there is no driver's designated seating position.
• Prison bus means a bus manufactured for the purpose of transporting persons subject to involuntary restraint or confinement and has design features consistent with that purpose.
• Stop-request system means a vehicle-integrated system for passenger use to signal to a vehicle operator that they are requesting a stop.
• Transit bus means a bus that is equipped with a stop-request system sold for public transportation provided by, or on behalf of, a State or local government and that is not an over-the-road bus.
• (ii) Adjusts by means of an emergency locking retractor conforming to Standard No. 209 (49 CFR 571.209), and
• S4.4.3.1.2 Any rear designated seating position on a readily removable seat (that is, a seat designed to be easily removed and replaced by means installed by the manufacturer for that purpose) may meet the requirements of S4.4.3.1 by use of a belt incorporating a release mechanism that detaches both the lap and shoulder portion at either the upper or lower anchorage point, but not both. [continues in the eCFR]
• S4.5.4.2 The device is operable by means of the ignition key for the vehicle. The device shall be separate from the ignition switch for the vehicle, so that the driver must take some action with the ignition key other than inserting it or turning it in the ignition switch to deactivate the passenger air bag. [continues in the eCFR]
• S4.5.4.3 A telltale light in the interior of the vehicle shall be illuminated whenever the passenger air bag is turned off by means of the on-off switch. The telltale shall be clearly visible to occupants of all front seating positions. “Clearly visible” means within the normal range of vision throughout normal driving operations. The telltale:

Limits of this page

This page quotes the text of 49 CFR 571.208 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 571.208, Standard No. 208; Occupant crash protection. (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)