Jun 26, 2026 · Final
AV STEP withdrawal
NHTSA formally withdrew the 2025 AV STEP proposed rulemaking.
NHTSA / Federal Register ↗Policy Trackers / Federal Rules
Federal Regulations and Rules
Track NHTSA oversight and verified FMVSS amendments that explicitly address ADS vehicle design, plus related steering-control changes. Each rulemaking links to its proposal and final text where available.
The Regulator
NHTSA Oversight
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administers federal vehicle safety law. It can investigate safety defects, require recalls, review petitions for exemptions, and collect specified ADS crash reports under its Standing General Order. These tools apply beyond the text of any one safety standard.
NHTSA has said there is currently no federal ADS driving-competency standard. State and local rules also shape where and how an AV can operate.
Crash reporting order ↗·NHTSA on ADS standards ↗The Standards
FMVSS
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are requirements for new motor vehicles and equipment, codified in 49 CFR Part 571. AV-specific modernization adapts standards written around steering wheels, pedals, displays, and human drivers to vehicles with automated driving systems.
The 2022 ADS occupant protection rule and the separate 2026 FMVSS 204 rule are in effect. Other 2026 ADS design amendments below remain proposals.
NHTSA laws and standards ↗Federal oversight
NHTSA Oversight History
Crash reporting and ADS oversight proposals sit outside the FMVSS vehicle design rules.
Apr 24, 2025 · In Effect
Third amended Standing General Order
NHTSA revised ADS crash reporting requirements in April 2025. Review the current order and amendments for applicable thresholds and deadlines.
NHTSA / Federal Register ↗Jan 15, 2025 · Withdrawn
AV STEP proposal
Proposed a voluntary ADS safety transparency and evaluation program. NHTSA withdrew this proposal in June 2026; no AV STEP program took effect.
NHTSA / Federal Register ↗Jun 29, 2021 · In Effect As Amended
Standing General Order crash reporting
NHTSA ordered specified ADS and Level 2 ADAS crash reports from manufacturers and operators; the reports are not determinations of fault.
NHTSA / Federal Register ↗FMVSS
FMVSS Change History
ADS design rulemakings and a related steering-control change. The numbers list every standard amended by each tracked final rule; one rulemaking may amend several standards.
- 1Proposal
Draft amendment published; existing rule still applies.
- 2Comments
Public submits evidence before the deadline.
- 3Agency Review
NHTSA weighs comments and may revise or withdraw.
- 4Final Rule
Adopted text published with an effective date.
- 5In Effect
Rule is binding; a later compliance date may apply.
FMVSS 204In Effect
Steering control rearward displacement · FMVSS 204
A separate, generally applicable rule excludes vehicles certified to FMVSS 208 frontal barrier crash protection from FMVSS 204's steering column rearward displacement requirements and removes obsolete text. It is relevant to AV design but is not an ADS-specific rule.
- Proposal
- Comments
- Agency Review
- Final Rule
- In Effect
Final rule published Jun 3, 2026; in effect since Jul 6, 2026.
Earlier Requests for Comment (2)
These notices sought input before specific proposed amendments; they did not change a standard.
Reviewed 2026-09-23 · Data source: reviewed site snapshot.