---
kind: "section"
citation: "23 U.S.C. § 315"
title: "23"
title_heading: "Highways"
number: "315"
heading: "Rules, regulations, and recommendations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/23/315"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — General Provisions"
---

# §315. Rules, regulations, and recommendations


Except as provided in sections [202(a)(5)](/usc/23/202.md?p=a-5), [203(a)(3)](/usc/23/203.md?p=a-3), and [205(a)](/usc/23/205.md?p=a) of this title, the [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) is authorized to prescribe and promulgate all needful rules and regulations for the carrying out of the provisions of this title. The [Secretary](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-27) may make such recommendations to the Congress and [State transportation departments](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-31) as he deems necessary for preserving and protecting the [highways](/usc/23/101.md?p=a-11) and insuring the safety of traffic thereon.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–767, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 915; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, § 133(b)(18), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 172; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1212(a)(2)(A)(ii), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 193; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1119(c)(3), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 492.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “202(a)(5), 203(a)(3),” for “204(f)”.

1998—Pub. L. 105–178 substituted “State transportation departments” for “State highway departments”.

1987—Pub. L. 100–17 which directed that this section be amended by substituting “204(f) and 205(a)” for “204(d), 205(a), 207(b), and 208(c)” was executed by substituting “204(f) and 205(a)” for “204(d), 205(a), 206(b), 207(b), and 208(c)”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.