Backseat Seat Belt Alerts Get Extra Prep Time Until Spring

2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures

The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.

2026-05024 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles

NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!

2026-05023 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference

NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.

2025-22674 — Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.

2026-10611 — New Car Assessment Program

The government wants to update the New Car Assessment Program to include rear automatic braking systems that help avoid hitting pedestrians when backing up. This change will help car buyers know which vehicles have this smart safety feature. If you have thoughts, you can share them by July 27, 2026—no cost involved, just your opinion!

2026-10412 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Pulsating Stop Lamps, Flashing Lights, and Distance Perception

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants your thoughts on a new info collection about pulsating stop lamps, flashing lights, and how drivers judge distance. This affects drivers, car makers, and safety experts, aiming to improve road safety without costing much time or money. You’ve got until July 27, 2026, to share your comments and help shape safer driving tech!

Previous: 2025-02583 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Systems, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems; Incorporation by Reference

Hey parents and car seat makers! The government is pushing back the new safety rules for child car seats and their anchors from January 7, 2025, to March 20, 2025. This gives everyone extra time to get ready without rushing or spending unexpected money.

Next: 2025-02585 — Anthropomorphic Test Devices, HIII 5th Percentile Female Test Dummy; Incorporation by Reference

The government is pushing back the start date for new rules about the Hybrid III 5th Percentile Female Test Dummy until March 20, 2025. These rules fix problems with the dummy’s chest jacket and spine box to make crash tests more accurate. This delay gives manufacturers more time to get ready without extra costs or headaches.