SELF DRIVE Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Latta
In Committee
Summary
This bill would make a mandatory federal framework that centers on a detailed safety case for each automated driving system (ADS) version. It also creates a national crash data repository and sets technical competencies and reporting rules for ADS-equipped vehicles.
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- Manufacturers and developers would have to complete a safety case for every ADS version before sale that describes hardware, sensors, operational design domain, hazard analyses, performance claims, and cybersecurity. They must report covered ADS-involved crashes and ADS-engaged miles to a federal repository, with the repository rule due by Sept. 30, 2026 and the safety-case rule due by Sept. 30, 2027.
- People who ride with or share roads with ADS vehicles would see systems required to address specific safety competencies, including detecting and responding to vulnerable road users, complying with traffic laws, providing fallback communications for Level 3, and safely achieving a minimal risk condition for Level 4 and 5 systems.
- State and local governments would be barred from imposing manufacturer-level sale or crash-reporting rules that conflict with the federal regime, while retaining authority over traffic law enforcement, registration, inspections, insurance, and consumer protection. The Secretary may also permit limited commercial operations for testing under caps on vehicles, mileage, revenue, and duration.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
National crash database for automated vehicles
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary to set up a National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository by September 30, 2026. Manufacturers would report covered crash details within 30 days of a crash or within 10 days after they learn about it. Manufacturers would also report quarterly miles with the automated system engaged; that quarterly mileage reporting would end five years after the final rule unless renewed. The rule would protect confidential business and personal data, give timely access to State transportation agencies, and provide a public data-sharing system with privacy limits. NHTSA's Standing General Order 2021-01 would not apply to automated vehicles after the rule's compliance date.
New safety rules for automated vehicles
If enacted, manufacturers would have to prepare a detailed safety case for every version of their automated driving system. The Secretary must issue a final rule by September 30, 2027. Safety cases would describe hardware, software, sensors, operating limits, hazard analyses, safety performance claims, and cybersecurity plans. The bill would also let some driverless vehicles be sold without typical manual driver controls if the vehicle has an inside control to command a safe minimal risk condition and lets occupants exit after that stop. The bill would allow temporary disabling of some human-driver controls for safety while the system is driving, but makers using that exception must meet the safety case rules.
Limited commercial testing of automated vehicles
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary allow limited commercial operations as part of authorized testing or evaluation. This could include carrying passengers or hauling freight during testing. The Secretary could limit where and how much testing can earn revenue, including caps on vehicles, miles, revenue, or time. The Secretary could also require extra oversight and transparency to make sure testing does not become full deployment of non-compliant vehicles.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Latta
OH • R
Cosponsors
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Kean
NJ • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]
AZ • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Balderson
OH • R
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Sponsored 3/27/2026
Van Epps
TN • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Hudson
NC • R
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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