Rear impact guard

Trailers and Semitrailers Manufactured on or After January 26, 1998 — Each trailer and semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) or more must be equipped with a rear impact guard that meets the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 223 ( 571.223) in effect at the time the vehicle was manufactured. When the rear impact guard is installed on the trailer or semitrailer, the vehicle must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 224 ( 571.224) in effect at the time the vehicle was manufactured. 

Each rear impact guard used to satisfy the requirements must be permanently marked or labeled as required by FMVSS No. 223 ( 571.223 S5.3). The label must be on the forward-facing surface of the horizontal member of the guard, 12 inches (305 mm) inboard of the right end of the guard. The certification label must contain the following information ... 

Vehicles Manufactured After December 31, 1952 (except trailers or semitrailers manufactured on or after January 26, 1998) — Vehicles with a ground clearance of more than 30 inches (76.2 cm) when the motor vehicle is empty, must be equipped with a rear impact guard(s) that meets the following criteria ... 

The rear impact guard(s) must be substantially constructed and attached by means of bolts, welding, or other comparable means. 

Vehicle restraints are more effective than manual wheel chocking. The restraint has a moveable steel hook, bar, or handle mounted onto the dock wall face. The hook, bar, or handle attaches to the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) bar, which is the horizontal bar mounted below the trailer bumper. This device is also called a rear impact guard. 

The impact guard(s) may be located no more than 24 inches (61 cm) forward of the rear extremity of the motor vehicle. 

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