49 U.S.C. § 30162

1. (a)Any interested person may file a petition with the Secretary of Transportation requesting the Secretary to begin a proceeding—
   1. (1)to prescribe a motor vehicle safety standard under this chapter; or
   2. (2)to decide whether to issue an order under section 30118(b) of this title.
2. (b)A petition under this section must state facts that the person claims establish that a motor vehicle safety standard or order referred to in subsection (a) of this section is necessary and briefly describe the order the Secretary should issue.
3. (c)The Secretary may hold a public hearing or conduct an investigation or proceeding to decide whether to grant a petition under this section.
4. (d)
   1. (1)The Secretary shall determine whether to approve or deny a petition under this section by not later than 120 days after the petition is filed.
   2. (2)If a petition under this section is approved, the Secretary shall begin the proceeding promptly.
   3. (3)If a petition under this section is denied, the Secretary shall publish the reasons for the denial in the Federal Register.