Abstract: A cover assembly for an airbag restraint system has a smooth, grained, plastic cover and a load bearing insert for covering a housing for an airbag and a gas generator which includes an inflatant for the airbag for deploying the airbag through the smooth, grained plastic outer cover member without rupturing the cover member at weakened sections therein and wherein a carriage is formed in an insert opening having a cutter thereon between the cover and the air bag; the cutter has cutting edges thereon directly contacting the cover assembly for perforating the cover during inflation of the airbag so as to form a self-piercing cover assembly which will be cut to form an opening through the cover assembly through which the airbag is deployed; the self-piercing occurring as the airbag is inflated and solely in response to such inflation prior to deployment of the airbag into the passenger compartment.