U.S. Code > Title 49 Transportation > SUBTITLE VI—MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS (§§ 30101—33118) > PART C—INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS (§§ 32101—33118) > CHAPTER 325—BUMPER STANDARDS (§§ 32501—32511) > § 32511. Relationship to other motor vehicle standards

§ 32511. Relationship to other motor vehicle standards

(a) Preemption.— Except as provided in this section, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or enforce a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.
(b) Enforcement.— This chapter and chapter 301 of this title do not affect the authority of a State to enforce a bumper standard about an aspect of performance of a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment not covered by a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title if the State bumper standard—
(1) does not conflict with a standard prescribed under chapter 301 of this title; and
(2) was in effect or prescribed by the State on October 20, 1972.
(c) Additional and Higher Standards of Performance.— The United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes additional or higher standards of performance than a standard prescribed under section 32502 of this title.