# 49 C.F.R. § 523.3 (2026): Automobile

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_3

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 C.F.R. § 523.3 (2026)
- **Heading:** Automobile
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 49 CFR: Transportation / Chapter V: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 523: VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION / § 523.3: § 523.3   Automobile.

## Text

An automobile is any 4-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by fuel, or by alternative fuel, manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways and rated at less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, except:
(a) A vehicle operated only on a rail line;
(b) A vehicle manufactured in different stages by 2 or more manufacturers, if no intermediate or final-stage manufacturer of that vehicle manufactures more than 10,000 multi-stage vehicles per year; or
(c) A work truck.
[89 FR 52945, June 24, 2024]

## Nearby sections

- [49 C.F.R. § 523.1 (2026) § 523.1   Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_1.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.2 (2026) § 523.2   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_2.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.3 (2026) § 523.3   Automobile.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_3.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.4 (2026) § 523.4   Passenger automobile.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_4.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.5 (2026) § 523.5   Non-passenger automobile.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_5.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.6 (2026) § 523.6   Heavy-duty vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_6.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.7 (2026) § 523.7   Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_7.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.8 (2026) § 523.8   Heavy-duty vocational vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_8.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.9 (2026) § 523.9   Truck tractors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_9.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 523.10 (2026) § 523.10   Heavy-duty trailers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P523_S523_3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.