PUBLIC LAW 103-272—JULY 5, 1994 108 STAT. 969 § 30166. Inspections, investigations, and records (a) DEFINITION.— In this section, "motor vehicle accident" means an occurrence associated with the maintenance or operation of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment resulting in personal injury, death, or property damage. (b) AUTHORITY TO INSPECT AND INVESTIGATE. —(1) The Secretary of Transportation may conduct an inspection or investigation— (A) that may be necessary to enforce this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter; or (B) related to a motor vehicle accident and designed to carry out this chapter. (2) The Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate with State and local officials to the greatest extent possible in an inspection or investigation under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection. (c) MATTERS THAT CAN BE INSPECTED AND IMPOUNDMENT.— In carrying out this chapter, an officer or employee designated by the Secretary of Transportation— (1) at reasonable times, may inspect and copy any record related to this chapter; (2) on request, may inspect records of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to decide whether the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer has complied or is complying with this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter; and (3) at reasonable times, in a reasonable way, and on display of proper credentials and written notice to an owner, operator, or agent in charge, may— (A) enter and inspect with reasonable promptness premises in which a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment is manufactured, held for introduction in interstate commerce, or held for sale after introduction in interstate commerce; (B) enter and inspect with reasonable promptness premises at which a vehicle or equipment involved in a motor vehicle accident is located; (C) inspect with reasonable promptness that vehicle or equipment; and (D) impound for not more than 72 hours a vehicle or equipment involved in a motor vehicle accident. (d) REASONABLE COMPENSATION.—When a motor vehicle (except a vehicle subject to subchapter II of chapter 105 of this title) or motor vehicle equipment is inspected or temporarily impounded under subsection (c)(3) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall pay reasonable compensation to the owner of the vehicle if the inspection or impoundment results in denial of use, or reduction in value, of the vehicle. (e) RECORDS AND MAKING REPORTS. —The Secretary of Transportation reasonably may require a manufacturer of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment to keep records, and a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to make reports, to enable the Secretary to decide whether the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer has complied or is complying with this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter. This subsection does not impose a recordkeeping requirement on a distributor or dealer in addition to those imposed under subsection (f) of this section and section
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