[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1583-1584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-78]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[NHTSA-2006-23527]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This 
document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA 
intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 401, Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Sade, Office of Chief Counsel, 
NCC-110, telephone (202) 366-1834, fax (202) 366-3820; NHTSA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must be 
included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collection of information:
    Title: Designation of Agent for Service of Process.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0040.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Abstract: This collection of information applies to motor vehicle 
and motor vehicle equipment manufacturers located outside of the United 
States (``foreign manufacturers''). Section 110(e) of the National 
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 30164) requires 
a foreign manufacturer offering a motor vehicle or motor vehicle 
equipment for importation into the United States to designate a 
permanent resident of the United States as its agent upon whom service 
of notices and processes may be made in administrative and judicial 
proceedings. These designations are required to be filed with NHTSA. 
NHTSA requires this information in case it needs to advise a foreign 
manufacturer of a safety related defect in its products so that the 
manufacturer can, in turn, notify purchasers and correct the defect. 
This information also enables NHTSA to serve a foreign manufacturer 
with all administrative and judicial processes, notices, orders, 
decisions and requirements.
    NHTSA recently amended the regulation implementing that statutory 
requirement, codified at 49 CFR part 551, subpart D, rephrasing it in a 
plain language, question and answer format and inserting an appendix 
containing a suggested designation format for use by foreign 
manufacturers and their agents. The purpose of the suggested 
designation format was to simplify the information collection and 
submission process, and thereby reduce the burden imposed on each 
covered manufacturer by 49 CFR Part 551, subpart D. To further 
streamline the information collection process, NHTSA has set up a

[[Page 1584]]

customer Web site that may be accessed at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/manufacture/agent/customer.html.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 120 hours.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 240 respondents.
    The Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

    Issued on: January 4, 2006.
John Donaldson,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Legislation and General Law.
 [FR Doc. E6-78 Filed 1-9-06; 8:45 am]
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