NHTSA VRTC Questionnaire Tool Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

One of the responsibilities of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is to ensure that motor vehicles throughout the United States and its Territories operate safely and within the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). TheNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) conducts investigations into alleged vehicle defects. NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) is a Federal laboratory located on a proving ground in Ohio that physically inspects, tests, and recreates vehicle defect allegations to confirm whether the evidence of a defect is valid. To further assist ODI in conducting investigations, VRTC developed a voluntary questionnaire that contains two (2) to nine (9) questions relevant to a defects investigation. The questionnaire is sent to registered owners of the same make and model of vehicle under investigation. This PIA is necessary because PII in the form of names and addresses, and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) are required information on the questionnaire.