The Trump administration is relaxing federal safety regulations for self-driving vehicles by eliminating standards initially created for manually operated vehicles, aiming to fast-track the adoption of autonomous technology.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy said on Thursday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to introduce three proposed rules by spring 2026 aimed at updating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems. The proposed changes would specifically ease requirements that currently hinder vehicles without manual controls, such as gear shift levers, defroster buttons, or certain lighting features, from being allowed on the roads.
As part of the federal Spring Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, the NHTSA will revise or eliminate several provisions within the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to better accommodate vehicles operated exclusively by automated driving systems (ADS).
The proposed changes target FMVSS Nos. 102, 103, 104, and 108, which currently regulate safety components typically managed by human drivers. These include starter interlocks (No. 102), systems for windshield defrosting and defogging (No. 103), windshield wipers and washers (No. 104), and lighting equipment such as headlights, taillights, and other reflective devices (No. 108).
The disclosure comes months after a letter sent to stakeholders in June, in which the NHTSA declared that it was changing its Automated Vehicle (AV) Framework to streamline the exemption process for the commercial deployment of self-driving vehicles without traditional controls like steering wheels or pedals.
Automotive industry trade organizations have expressed support for the deregulation efforts, viewing them as a possible advantage for companies such as Tesla that are advancing autonomous technology. Advocates within the industry also believe these changes could help accelerate the broader rollout of robotaxis and other fully self-driving vehicles.
AUTO TECH | Infineon Unveils AURIX TC4x Software for Auto Safety, Security
