by Streamlining the Process for Autonomous Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is simplifying the procedure for obtaining exemptions (Part 555) to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles. These changes will allow for faster approval of models that do not meet traditional standards, such as cars without a steering wheel, mirrors, or other driver controls.
As noted by U.S. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy:
“The Part 555 exemption process has been rightly criticized for its excessively long timelines – bureaucracy is holding back developers, preventing them from keeping up with modern technologies.”
This applies, in particular, to the failed Cruise Origin project, which was closed last year due to approval delays.
New Approaches to Safety
NHTSA recognized that the existing exemption review system was designed for conventional cars and is not suitable for autonomous vehicles. Companies will now be able to obtain permission to sell up to 2,500 vehicles per year that do not fully comply with standards but must prove their safety.
Peter Simshauser, NHTSA’s Chief Counsel, emphasized that these changes will foster innovation:
“We are working on updating the standards, but for now, exemptions will remain an important tool for implementing new technologies.”
Although the process will become faster, safety requirements remain a priority. Companies must provide evidence that their autonomous vehicles do not pose a threat to public safety. These changes could become a key step for the mass market entry of autonomous cars in the future.
