Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Label
Tractors with or without fifth wheels manufactured for the U.S. are marked as certified by means of a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) certification label which also lists suitable tire and rim combinations. See Fig. for an example of an FMVSS vehicle certification label.
Vehicles domiciled in Mexico are labeled with a Spanish Weights and Measurements Label that lists suitable tire and rim combinations. For more information, see the section on Spanish Weights and Measures Label.
Fig. 1, FMVSS Vehicle Certification Label (complete vehicle)
The tire and rim combinations listed on these labels are those that can be installed on the vehicle for the given gross axle weight rating. Tires and rims installed on the vehicle at the time of manufacture may have a higher load capacity than that certified by the tire and rim label. If the tires and rims currently on the vehicle have a lower load capacity than that shown on the tire and rim label, then the tires and rims determine the load limitations on each of the axles.
Tractors built without a fifth wheel for U.S. operations have an incomplete FMVSS vehicle certification label. The incomplete vehicle documentation included with the vehicle certifies that the vehicle conforms to all applicable regulations in effect on the date of completion. The final certification label must be attached by the final-stage manufacturer.
Note: Per regulation 49 CFR 567.4(b), each label must be affixed in such a manner that it cannot be removed without destroying or defacing the label. The label must not be affixed to any vehicle component that can easily be detached from the vehicle. The label shall be affixed to the hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driver’s seating position. If none of these locations are practicable, the label shall be affixed to the left side of the instrument panel. If that location is also not practicable, the label shall be affixed to the inward-facing surface of the door next to the driver’s seating position. If none of the preceding locations is practicable, a proposed alternative location shall be submitted to NHTSA for review and approval. By ordering a vehicle with a loose incomplete vehicle certification label, body builder assumes responsibility to properly install the label, per the regulations.