Executive Summary

2026 has been a dynamic year so far for federal regulation of automotive safety. Federal regulators have demonstrated a sustained commitment to regulatory reform and innovation, while simultaneously advancing efforts to facilitate the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Congress has also renewed its focus on vehicle safety and automation as lawmakers consider legislation that could significantly reshape the federal framework governing AVs and vehicle-safety regulation.

Although the path to a comprehensive federal framework for AVs remains uncertain, NHTSA and other agencies continue to pursue opportunities to advance a deregulatory agenda while promoting innovation. Efforts to pave the way for large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment are underway at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Congress is also paying attention to motor vehicle safety, with surface transportation reauthorization looming and numerous proposed bills that could provide a federal framework for AVs and reform NHTSA’s exemption process, long viewed as a roadblock for vehicle manufacturers.

The next year-and-a-half presents a window of uncommon opportunity for industry to help shape vehicle safety rules that deliver safety value without stifling innovation. These developments collectively suggest that industry stakeholders will continue to have meaningful opportunities to influence vehicle-safety policy through agency engagement, rulemaking participation, and legislative advocacy.