49 CFR § 541.4 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s541.4"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 541.4 - Definitions."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "541.4"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "541"
part_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION STANDARD"
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. 33101, 33102, 33103, 33104, 33105 and 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95."
regulatory_source: "50 FR 43190, Oct. 24, 1985, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "541"
---


# 541.4 Definitions.

(a) *Statutory terms.* All terms defined in 49 U.S.C. chapter 331 are used in accordance with their statutory meanings unless otherwise defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) *Other definitions.* (1) *Interior surface* means, with respect to a vehicle part, a surface that is not directly exposed to sun and precipitation.

(2) *Light-duty truck (LDT)* means a motor vehicle, with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment, that is rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less.

(3) *Line* means a name which a manufacturer applies to a group of motor vehicles of the same make which have the same body or chassis, or otherwise are similar in construction or design. A “line” may, for example, include 2-door, 4-door, station wagon, and hatchback vehicles of the same make.

(4) *1990/91 median theft rate* means 3.5826 thefts per thousand vehicles produced.

(5) *Multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV)* means a passenger motor vehicle which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation and which is rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less.

(6) *Passenger car* is used as defined in § 571.3 of this chapter.

(7) *VIN* means the vehicle identification number required by part 565 of this chapter.

[59 FR 64168, Dec. 13, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 29033, June 7, 1996]