In a strategic move to maintain technological competitiveness with China, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Thursday a revised regulatory framework for autonomous and partially automated vehicles, making it easier for domestic manufacturers to test vehicles without traditional features like rearview mirrors or steering wheels.
The new rules maintain crash reporting requirements while extending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) exemptions to US-based companies that were previously only available to foreign manufacturers. This change aims to accelerate autonomous vehicle development and testing on American roads.
"This administration understands that we're in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn't be higher," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. He emphasized the DOT's goal to reduce bureaucratic barriers while maintaining safety standards.
Under the updated framework, manufacturers must still report serious crashes involving autonomous or partially automated systems within 10 days if they result in fatalities, hospitalizations, vulnerable road user impacts, airbag deployments, or vehicle towing. Less severe incidents require reporting within 15 days.
The automotive industry praised the announcement. Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella called for urgent implementation of the new framework, stating that government inaction had previously limited the potential of autonomous vehicle development.
The regulatory changes come amid staffing concerns at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), following recent dismissals of personnel responsible for autonomous vehicle safety oversight. The agency now faces the challenge of processing increased exemption requests with reduced staff.
This regulatory update represents a major shift in US autonomous vehicle policy, potentially accelerating the deployment of experimental designs while maintaining core safety reporting requirements.