SELF DRIVE Act 2026

Summary#

This bill updates federal rules for vehicles that use advanced automated driving systems (ADS). It requires vehicle and system makers to create a written "safety case" that describes how the ADS is built, how it performs, its operational design domain (ODD), hazard analyses, crash response, redundancies, and cybersecurity plans. The Secretary of Transportation (through NHTSA) must issue a safety standard rule by September 30, 2027, and hold rulemakings for a national crash data repository by September 30, 2026.

The bill creates a National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository. Manufacturers must report specific information about certain crashes where an ADS was engaged (called "covered crashes") and provide quarterly reports of miles travelled with ADS engaged (with that quarterly mileage reporting ending 5 years after the repository rule's compliance date). The bill allows limited commercial testing operations (including carrying passengers or freight) under NHTSA authorization and sets limits to prevent testing from becoming unchecked deployment.

It allows some ADS-dedicated vehicles (designed to operate without human drivers) to omit manual driver controls if the vehicle gives an occupant a way to command the vehicle to reach a minimal risk condition and let occupants exit safely. The bill also adds an exception so manufacturers may temporarily disable human-driving controls while an ADS is engaged for safety reasons if they meet the safety case rules. It includes federal preemption of State laws that would block manufacturers meeting the federal safety case or reporting requirements, while preserving State authority over traffic laws, registration, inspections, insurance, consumer protection, environmental rules, and related areas.

What it means for you#

  • If you buy or ride in an ADS-equipped vehicle, manufacturers will be required to prepare detailed safety cases that describe how the system works and how it handles hazards and crashes.
  • Certain crashes where an ADS was engaged must be reported by manufacturers into a national repository, including time, location, vehicles involved, injuries, and summaries of circumstances.
  • Regulators may allow limited commercial testing that could carry passengers or freight as part of evaluation, subject to restrictions and oversight.
  • ADS-dedicated vehicles designed without human driving controls can be sold if they can let an occupant command a safe stop (minimal risk condition) and let occupants exit afterward.
  • Manufacturers must include cybersecurity plans showing how they detect and respond to cyber risks to vehicle safety.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated federal costs or budget impacts is included in the bill text or metadata provided.

Proponents' View#

The bill's stated purpose is to ensure continued U.S. leadership in automotive and autonomous driving technology, improve road safety, mobility, and accessibility, and create American jobs by creating rules for the design, construction, and performance of ADS-equipped vehicles and by encouraging testing and deployment.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on specific opponent views or objections is included in the bill text or the provided metadata.