Side Crash Rules Get a Fresh, Outdated-Free Facelift
Published Date: 5/30/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
NHTSA is cleaning up the rules for side-impact protection in cars by removing old, outdated requirements. This update affects car makers who’ll have clearer, simpler safety standards to follow. The changes won’t cost extra and will help keep side-impact safety sharp and up-to-date.
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11072, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 307; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
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.
2026-16749, Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP26002
NHTSA said no to a request to investigate wheel fasteners on big trucks because the problem didn’t seem serious enough. Truck drivers and manufacturers can keep rolling without changes or extra costs for now. The agency carefully checked the facts and decided this issue doesn’t need a safety fix at this time.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-09742, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210; Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages
NHTSA wants to clean up the rules about where seat belts attach in cars by removing old, unnecessary text. This change helps car makers by making the rules clearer without adding new costs or deadlines. If you build or sell cars, this update makes life simpler and keeps seat belts safe and sound.
Next: 2025-09744, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard; No. 216; Roof Crush Resistance, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216a; Roof Crush Resistance; Upgraded Standard
NHTSA is updating car safety rules by removing the old roof crush resistance standard (FMVSS No. 216) and replacing it with a stronger, upgraded version called FMVSS No. 216a. This change affects car makers who now have to meet tougher roof strength tests to keep passengers safer in crashes. The new rules will roll out soon, so manufacturers should get ready to build safer roofs without breaking the bank.