NHTSA Quietly Extends Public Feedback Collection Approval
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking for approval to keep collecting feedback from the public about how well it delivers services. This helps them improve without creating extra hassle or costs for people. They already asked for comments earlier this year but didn’t get any, so they’re moving forward with the plan by August 26, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Estimated Time and Money Burden
NHTSA expects to collect feedback from 17,315 respondents, creating an estimated 1,795 annual burden hours and an annual opportunity cost of approximately $43,764.15 (based on a $37.09/hour average wage). The agency estimates a three‑year opportunity cost of about $131,292.45 and provides a breakdown (e.g., 16,400 customer satisfaction surveys, 240 focus group participants, 625 small group discussions, 50 usability study participants).
Participation Is Voluntary and Low-Cost
Participation in NHTSA's feedback collections is voluntary and the agency says there are no costs to respondents beyond time spent. The agency describes the collections as low-burden (e.g., 3‑minute surveys, 1 hour usability studies) and intends not to collect or retain unnecessary personally identifiable information.
Who May Be Asked to Provide Feedback
NHTSA identifies the affected publics as Individuals and Households, Businesses and Organizations, and State, Local, or Tribal Governments as potential respondents for the qualitative feedback collections. The 60‑day Federal Register notice was published June 26, 2025, with a comments deadline of August 26, 2025; no comments were received.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
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.
2026-16540, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) (collectively referred to as "Toyota"), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2020-2021 Toyota C-HR motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. Toyota filed a noncompliance report dated February 3, 2021, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on February 26, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces the grant of Toyota's petition.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20461, SBIC License Issuance
The Small Business Administration just announced new licenses for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), letting them invest more money to help small businesses grow. This update lists who got licensed, when, and how much money they can leverage, with licenses issued between July and September 2025. If you’re a small business or investor, these fresh funds mean more chances for support and growth soon!
Next: 2025-20465, Agency Information Collection Extension
The Department of Energy is asking for public feedback to extend a form that helps keep track of labor relations with its contractors. This extension won’t cost extra but helps DOE manage contracts better and keep workers happy. Comments are due by December 22, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!