NEWS: The Trump admin is taking steps to make it easier for automakers to deploy-self driving cars by removing some requirements designed specifically for human drivers.
“America must lead the way in transportation innovation. If we don’t, our adversaries will fill the void,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. 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.”
The US Department of Transportation says it’s planning to propose three new rules in the spring of 2026 to modernize Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for vehicles with automated driving systems. "These standards were written decades ago and fail to account for automated vehicles."
In each, the rulemaking would address standards for vehicles with automated driving systems and no manual controls:
• FMVSS No. 102, “Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect.”
• FMVSS No, 103, “Windshield defrosting and defogging systems,” and FMVSS No. 104, “Windshield wiping and washing systems.”
• FMVSS No. 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.”
