49 CFR § 397.211 - Preemption determination.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s397.211"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 397.211 - Preemption determination."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "397.211"
section_name: "Preemption determination."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS"
part_number: "397"
part_name: "TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; DRIVING AND PARKING RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 322; 49 CFR 1.87. Subpart A also issued under 49 U.S.C. 5103, 31136, 31502, and 49 CFR 1.97. Subparts C, D, and E also issued under 49 U.S.C. 5112, 5125."
regulatory_source: "36 FR 4876, Mar. 13, 1971, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "397"
---


# 397.211 Preemption determination.

(a) Upon consideration of the application and other relevant information received, the Administrator issues a determination.

(b) Notwithstanding that an application for a determination has not been filed under § 397.205, the Administrator, on his or her own initiative, may issue a determination as to whether a particular highway routing designation of a State, political subdivision thereof, or Indian tribe is preempted under the Act or the regulations issued under the Act.

(c) The determination includes a written statement setting forth the relevant facts and the legal basis for the determination, and provides that any person aggrieved thereby may file a petition for reconsideration within 20 days in accordance with § 397.223.

(d) Unless the determination is issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the Administrator serves a copy of the determination upon the applicant. In all preemption determinations, the Administrator serves a copy of the determination upon any other person who participated in the proceeding or who is readily identifiable by the Administrator as affected by the determination. A copy of each determination is placed on file in the public docket. The Administrator may publish the determination or notice of the determination in the *Federal Register.*

(e) If no petition for reconsideration is filed within 20 days in accordance with § 397.223, a determination issued under this section constitutes the final agency decision as to whether a particular highway routing designation of a State, political subdivision thereof, or Indian tribe is preempted under the Act or regulations issued thereunder. The fact that a determination has not been issued under this section with respect to a particular highway routing designation of a State, political subdivision thereof, or Indian tribe carries no implication as to whether the requirement is preempted under the Act or regulations issued thereunder.