49 U.S.C. § 30123 — Tires

(a) Regrooved tires. A "regrooved tire" is a worn tire that's been given a new tread by cutting fresh grooves into it. The Secretary of Transportation can authorize selling, offering for sale, or shipping in interstate commerce a regrooved tire, or a vehicle fitted with them, if the Secretary decides they're designed and made safely under section 30101. Without that authorization, no one may sell, offer to sell, or ship a regrooved tire or a vehicle equipped with one in interstate commerce. (b) A uniform grading system. The Secretary must set safety standards creating one uniform quality-grading system for vehicle tires, so consumers can make informed choices when buying them. The Secretary must also work with industry and the Federal Trade Commission, as much as practical, to stop confusing or misleading tire naming and marketing practices. Any tire standard or rule issued under this chapter overrides a conflicting Federal Trade Commission order or interpretation. (c) Load standards. The Secretary must require that a vehicle come equipped with tires rated to handle a reasonable amount of luggage plus the full number of passengers the vehicle is designed to carry. The manufacturer — or, if not the manufacturer, the first buyer of the vehicle (bought in good faith, not for resale) — must make sure it has those tires.