An air bag module is mounted on the instrument panel structure forwardly of the passenger seating position and has an air bag normally stored and folded therein and inflatable to project into the occupant compartment to restrain the passenger. An instrument panel cover is mounted atop the instrument panel structure to conceal the air bag from view and extends transversely across the instrument panel structure forwardly of both the driver and passenger sides of the occupant compartment. The instrument panel cover has a weakened tear seam which originates at the rearward most edge of the cover, at a point between the driver and the passenger and proceeds from the rearward edge in a generally forward direction. The driver side portion of the instrument panel cover is fixedly fastened to the instrument panel structure. The passenger side portion of the instrument panel cover is detachably fastened to the instrument panel cover. Upon inflation of the air bag, the passenger side of the instrument panel cover is forcibly lifted and pivoted upwardly as permitted by detachment of detachable fasteners and the tearing of the instrument panel cover along the weakened tear seam. The instrument panel cover is preferably of the type including a raised hood portion which wraps around the instrument display cluster and the weakened tear seam extends in a curving path around the margin of the raised hood portion and is hidden thereby.