NHTSA wants vehicle safety standards written for human drivers to be updated for automated vehicles

U.S. transportation officials are pushing ahead with rulemaking to update federal vehicle safety standards for vehicles with automated driving systems.

On September 4, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed three rule changes for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in order to accommodate automated vehicles (AVs).

“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards were written for vehicles with human drivers and need to be updated for autonomous vehicles. Removing these requirements will reduce costs and enhance safety. NHTSA is committed to supporting the safe development of advanced technologies and advancing a new era of transportation,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said. 

The NHTSA proposed changes to address standards for vehicles with automated driving systems and no manual controls:

• Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment
• Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect
• Windshield defrosting and defogging systems, and windshield wiping and washing systems

“America must lead the way in transportation innovation. If we don’t, our adversaries will fill the void,” said Duffy. “The rules of the road need to be updated to fit the realities of the 21st century. Our changes will eliminate redundant requirements and bring us closer to a single national standard that spurs innovation and prioritizes safety.” 

These updates to vehicle standards would help advance the NHTSA’s Automated Vehicle Framework, a nationwide effort to:

• Prioritize the safety of ongoing AV operations on public roads 
• Unleash innovation by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers 
• Enable commercial deployment of AVs to enhance safety and mobility for the American public.