As used in this subchapter--



    (1) ``Motor vehicle safety'' means the performance of motor vehicles 



or motor vehicle equipment in such a manner that the public is protected 



against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring as a result of the 



design, construction or performance of motor vehicles and is also 



protected against unreasonable risk of death or injury to persons in the 



event accidents do occur, and includes nonoperational safety of such 



vehicles.



    (2) ``Motor vehicle safety standards'' means a minimum standard for 



motor vehicle performance, or motor vehicle equipment performance, which 



is practicable, which meets the need for motor vehicle safety and which 



provides objective criteria.



    (3) ``Motor vehicle'' means any vehicle driven or drawn by 



mechanical power manufactured primarily for use on the public streets, 



roads, and highways, except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail 



or rails.



    (4) ``Motor vehicle equipment'' means any system, part, or component 



of a motor vehicle as originally manufactured or any similar part or 



component manufactured or sold for replacement or improvement of such 



system, part, or component or as any accessory, or addition to the motor 



vehicle, and any device, article, or apparel not a system, part, or 



component of a motor vehicle (other than medicines, or eyeglasses 



prescribed by a physician or other duly licensed practitioner), which is 



manufactured, sold, delivered, offered, or intended for use exclusively 



to safeguard motor vehicles, drivers, passengers, and other highway 



users from risk of accident, injury, or death.



    (5) ``Manufacturer'' means any person engaged in the manufacturing 



or assembling of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment, including 



any person importing motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for 



resale.



    (6) ``Distributor'' means any person primarily engaged in the sale 



and distribution of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for 



resale.



    (7) ``Dealer'' means any person who is engaged in the sale and 



distribution of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment primarily 



to purchasers who in good faith purchase any such vehicle or equipment 



for purposes other than resale.



    (8) ``State'' includes each of the several States, the District of 



Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the 



Canal Zone, and American Samoa.



    (9) ``Interstate commerce'' means commerce between any place in a 



State and any place in another State, or between places in the same 



State through another State.



    (10) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation.



    (11) ``Defect'' includes any defect in performance, construction, 



components, or materials in motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment.



    (12) ``United States district courts'' means the Federal district 



courts of the United States and the United States courts of the 



Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, 



and American Samoa.



    (13) ``Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission'' means the Commission 



established pursuant to the joint resolution of the Congress relating to 



highway traffic safety, approved August 20, 1958 (72 Stat. 635), or as 



it may be hereafter reconstituted by law.



    (14) ``schoolbus'' means a passenger motor vehicle which is designed 



to carry more than 10 passengers in addition to the driver, and which 



the Secretary determines is likely to be significantly used for the 



purpose of transporting primary, preprimary, or secondary school 



students to or from such schools or events related to such schools; and



    (15) ``schoolbus equipment'' means equipment designed primarily as a 



system, part, or component of a schoolbus, or any similar part of 



component manufactured or sold for replacement or improvement of such 



system, part, or component or as an accessory or addition to a 



schoolbus.







[Laws in effect as of January 24, 1994]