Steering Displacement Rule Waived for Newer Cars
Published Date: 6/3/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 6, 2026, new rules say that certain vehicles meeting frontal crash protection standards won’t have to follow the old steering control rearward displacement rules anymore. This change mainly affects car makers and helps clear out outdated rules, making things simpler and safer. If anyone wants to challenge this, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Steering-column rule no longer applies to FMVSS 208-certified cars
Starting July 6, 2026, FMVSS No. 204 (steering control rearward displacement) no longer applies to vehicles that are certified to S14 of FMVSS No. 208 (frontal barrier crash protection). FMVSS No. 204’s remaining requirements apply to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that meet the weight limits (gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less and unloaded weight of 2,495 kg or less) and require that steering column rearward displacement not exceed 127 mm in a 48 km/h perpendicular impact test.
Agency certifies minimal small-entity impact
NHTSA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule, which deletes duplicative requirements and obsolete text, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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