NHTSA is forming a negotiated-rulemaking committee to recommend updates to tire tests, markings, non-pneumatic-tire rules and Load Range F light-truck standards; no final tire rule has changed.
NHTSA published the committee notice on October 27
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published Federal Register document 2026-21889 on October 27, 2026. The notice announces the agency's intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Tire Safety and requests both public comments and nominations for membership under docket NHTSA-2026-1717.
This is the start of a process, not a new tire requirement
The notice does not amend a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, order fleets to replace tires or change a driver's roadside-inspection duty. The committee would develop consensus recommendations that could inform a later notice of proposed rulemaking. Any proposal would then receive its own public-comment process before a possible final rule.
The work covers three existing tire standards
NHTSA identifies FMVSS Nos. 109, 119 and 139. Those standards address new pneumatic tires across passenger-car, multipurpose-passenger-vehicle, truck, bus, trailer and motorcycle applications. FMVSS No. 119 is particularly relevant to new pneumatic tires for vehicles other than passenger cars, including many commercial-truck and bus tires.
Legacy performance tests are on the agenda
Committee discussions would consider the continued necessity and effectiveness of the tire-strength or plunger-energy test, the bead-unseating-resistance test and the tire-endurance test, including chunking. NHTSA says stakeholder comments have raised questions about longstanding requirements and modern tire designs.
Non-pneumatic tires and sidewall information are included
The planned scope also includes incorporation of non-pneumatic tires and modernization of tire markings. These topics concern how future standards could recognize newer tire technology and communicate required information; the notice does not itself approve an airless tire for a particular commercial application.
Load Range F light-truck tires receive specific attention
NHTSA says the committee would evaluate a Tire and Rim Association petition concerning inclusion of Load Range F light-truck tires in FMVSS No. 139. The notice does not decide that petition, set a new load rating or authorize a vehicle to exceed its tire, axle or gross-weight limits.
Some inflation-pressure and marking questions are separate
A footnote says NHTSA plans a separate rulemaking for petitions involving specified standard, extra-load and temporary-spare inflation pressures and certain tubeless, radial and ply-count markings. Readers should not assume every tire-label issue will be decided by this committee.
The requested output is a consensus term sheet
The committee would prepare a detailed term sheet with consensus recommendations. After the Secretary approves the recommendations as submitted or modified and after consultation with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NHTSA says it intends to publish a proposed rule promptly. Consensus advice still is not a final regulation.
Up to 18 stakeholder members are proposed
The membership plan includes four tire-manufacturer or retailer representatives, two national motor-vehicle manufacturers, four vehicle or equipment manufacturing associations, two safety organizations, three education, research or testing organizations and three engineering or standards associations. A NHTSA representative would also participate fully.
The public can comment on scope and balance
NHTSA requests feedback on the proposed committee scope and the balance of represented interests. The notice also invites qualified people to apply or be nominated. Applications must identify the category represented and include authorization, a short biography and a commitment to participate in good faith.
The official deadline is tied to publication
Comments and membership applications are due 30 days after Federal Register publication. Because the public-inspection copy used a publication-relative placeholder, participants should confirm the exact displayed deadline on the official Federal Register page or docket NHTSA-2026-1717 before filing. Membership applications go to the NHTSA address identified in the notice.
The committee is time-limited and meetings will be public
The charter would end when the committee submits its recommendations or within no more than two years unless renewed. NHTSA anticipates about four meetings per year, with additional sessions if needed. Meetings would be public and generally virtual or hybrid, and members would not receive compensation.
Current truck tire operating rules remain in force
Motor carriers and drivers must continue to follow existing FMCSA tire rules, including 49 CFR 393.75, and the applicable manufacturer's load and inflation information. The committee notice creates no exemption for tread depth, exposed fabric, flat or leaking tires, mismatched duals or other prohibited conditions.
Fleet action today is monitoring, not equipment conversion
Maintenance teams can track docket NHTSA-2026-1717, preserve data on tire failures and test burdens, and review any future proposal against their tire specifications. Purchasing and inspection programs should remain based on current standards and actual tire and vehicle ratings unless and until a final rule becomes effective.
Primary-source note
This report is based on Federal Register document 2026-21889 and NHTSA's October 26 press release. CDL Truck Pro has described the action as creation of an advisory negotiated-rulemaking process, not a final standard, recall, inspection waiver, truck weight change or mandate to use non-pneumatic tires.
Continue with CDL Truck Pro
Official sources
Federal Register document 2026-21889: Tire Safety Committee noticeNHTSA: Move to Modernize Tire Safety Standards, October 26, 2026Regulations.gov docket NHTSA-2026-171749 CFR 393.75: Tires49 CFR 571.119: New pneumatic tires for vehicles other than passenger carsCDL Truck Pro provides educational information. Confirm licensing, safety, tax, and regulatory requirements through current official sources and qualified professionals.