Highway Safety Grants Get Rid of Old Executive Order Ghosts

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.

2026-06254 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 110 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles

NHTSA is updating a safety rule to help self-driving vehicles that don’t have a traditional driver’s side. Instead of the usual spot, these vehicles can put their tire and load info placard on the left side, making it easier to follow the rules without risking safety. This change affects vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less and invites public comments by May 1, 2026—no big costs, just smarter rules for smart cars!

2026-05502 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Consolidated Labeling Requirements and Procedures for Selecting Lines To Be Covered by the Theft Prevention Standard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to bring back a paperwork process that helps label cars and pick which models need theft prevention features. This affects car makers who must follow these labeling rules and theft standards. If approved, the process will continue smoothly, and the public can share their thoughts by May 19, 2026.

2026-05503 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Request for Comment; Event Data Recorders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking for approval to continue collecting info from event data recorders (EDRs), the gadgets in cars that record safety and driving data. This affects car makers and safety researchers who use this info to improve vehicle safety. Comments on this plan are open until April 20, 2026, and the goal is to keep gathering useful data without adding extra hassle or costs.

Previous: 2025-13238 — Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Species of Threatened Indo-Pacific Corals

The government is protecting five types of threatened corals in the Indo-Pacific by officially marking 18 important underwater areas as critical habitats. These spots cover about 92 square miles around places like American Samoa, Guam, and Hawaii. This move helps keep these corals safe without cutting out any areas, even after thinking about costs and security.

Next: 2025-13251 — Procedures for Implementing NEPA; Processing of Department of the Army Permits

The Army fixed a mistake in a rule about how it handles environmental reviews for permits. This update clears up confusion from a July 2025 rule and makes sure everyone knows the right steps. If you apply for Army permits, this correction helps keep things smooth and on track—no extra costs or delays expected.