Due in part to efforts by the Tire Industry Association (TIA), the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and other organizations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has enacted a rule allowing electronic registration of new tires purchased from independent tire dealers.

“We believe adding the electronic registration option benefits both tire dealers and consumers by offering them a much more convenient way to have new tires registered,” says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.

“By making the registration of their new tire purchase easier, consumers will have an invaluable aid in making sure they are promptly notified of any potential recalls, advisories or other information, which will help ensure that they are not driving on unsafe tires,” he explains.

The new rule officially takes effect Jan. 27, but dealers can already begin with electronic registration. Littlefield says that since most tire manufacturers already have electronic systems set up, and since most tire dealers have Internet-capable computers already, any additional equipment purchases or set up expenses will be minimal.

“NHTSA’s action offers a path forward to improving tire registration rates,” reports Tracey Norberg, RMA senior vice president. “This should enhance the ability of tire manufacturers and NHTSA to notify consumers in the event of a tire recall.”

When first implemented nearly three decades ago, tire registration procedures were strictly required to be done by using a standardized paper form. Under this paper-based system, RMA members have estimated that only 10 percent of tires purchased each year are registered, according to Norberg.

In 2003, the RMA urged NHTSA to allow for some electronic tire registration to help increase the amount of tire buyers participating in the registration process. NHTSA officials subsequently agreed, issuing a letter of interpretation.

Last year, the White House Office of Management and Budget asked NHTSA to consider broadening electronic tire registrations further under federal rules that encourage reducing paperwork burdens.

In January of this year, NHTSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the tire registration rules.

The new procedures will continue to permit paper registration forms, but will now permit tire dealers to voluntarily submit electronic tire registrations on behalf of their customers. If a paper form is provided to the consumer, it can include information on how he or she can electronically register their new tires.

“Choice and flexibility in filing tire registrations should be very helpful,” Norberg points out.

Additionally, the RMA and TIA had been urging NHTSA officials to avoid imposing additional burdens on the tire industry. Norberg says the final rule does not impose new obligations, but instead accommodates and facilitates Internet and other electronic tire registration procedures.

For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org and www.rma.org.