NHTSA Updates Brake Rules for Self-Driving Cars
Published Date: 6/26/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is updating brake system rules to better fit cars with self-driving tech and those driven by people. These changes clear up confusing parts, keep safety strong, and cut unnecessary costs for car makers. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by July 27, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Allow ADS-Only Cars To Drop Brake Pedals
The proposal would allow vehicles designed never to be operated by a human driver (ADS-equipped vehicles without manually operated driving controls) to omit foot-operated service brake pedals and hand- or foot-operated parking brake controls. Such vehicles must still provide a means for the vehicle to stop (via on-board systems) and cannot rely only on external commands to activate brakes.
Stopping Distance Rules Apply To ADS Vehicles
NHTSA would keep all existing stopping distance performance requirements in FMVSS No. 135 for every covered vehicle. For vehicles without a brake pedal, stopping distance would be measured from the point of initial transmission of an electronic command signal to the service brake control until the vehicle reaches a full stop.
Brake Warning Telltales Must Be Shown To Passengers
For ADS-equipped vehicles without manually operated driving controls, the brake system warning (renamed a "brake system warning telltale") must be clearly visible to occupants in all designated seating positions. NHTSA proposes excepting such vehicles from the requirement that the telltale activate when the parking brake is applied.
Parking Brake No Longer Must Be Friction-Type
NHTSA proposes to remove the specific requirement that the parking brake be a friction-type system while keeping the requirement that the parking brake retain engagement by solely mechanical means and hold the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes in both forward and reverse on a 20 percent grade. Fully electrically actuated parking brakes that could fail if power is lost would be precluded.
Disallow Controls That Disable ABS
The proposal would revise FMVSS No. 135 to state that a control to disable the anti-lock braking system (ABS), either fully or partially, is prohibited for subject vehicles.
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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.
2026-15743, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Anchorage Systems; Child Restraint Systems
This NPRM responds to petitions for reconsideration of the January 7, 2025 final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 225. NHTSA proposes granting the requests to extend the 3-year phase-in period to a 4-year phase-in period to comply with updated requirements in FMVSS No. 225 and to extend the lead time for small-volume manufacturers to comply fully with the updated requirements by the end of the proposed phase-in period. The agency also proposes granting the request to extend the sunset of the tether anchorage exemption for convertibles by two years. NHTSA proposes denying the request to allow tether routing over adjustable or removable head restraints to meet the tether anchorage location requirements. NHTSA is also proposing to make several technical corrections, and clarify certain test procedures.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12980, ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program; Withdrawal
The government has decided to cancel a planned program that would have asked companies making self-driving cars to share safety info voluntarily. This change affects car makers, tech developers, and fleet operators who won’t have to join this program anymore. The withdrawal takes effect immediately, with no new costs or deadlines for those involved.
Next: 2026-12989, Modernizing Security Requirements
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is updating its security and fitness rules to make them simpler and more efficient while keeping nuclear sites safe. These changes affect all NRC-licensed facilities and aim to cut unnecessary red tape without spending extra money. You’ve got until July 27, 2026, to share your thoughts on these proposed updates!