A new step has emerged on the path to fully autonomous vehicles, at least on paper. After months of heated discussions and industry pressure, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially revised several key policies regarding self-driving technologies. The new plan changes the procedure for submitting accident reports, reduces regulatory oversight, and outlines a path for expanding innovation. This is the optimistic version of events. If anyone can take advantage of this, Tesla is likely first in line.
Defined as a new Framework for Automated Vehicles (AV), the plan has three main objectives. First, prioritizing safety; second, fostering innovation; and finally, enabling commercial deployment. These are the official principles. How exactly these goals will be achieved remains to be seen.
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“This Administration understands that we are in a race with China for innovation supremacy, and the stakes couldn’t be higher,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Shawn P. Duffey. “As part of DOT’s innovation program, our new framework will reduce bureaucracy and bring us closer to a standard that promotes innovation and prioritizes safety.”
Reduced Transparency on Accidents
Months ago, some talked about completely eliminating the requirement altogether. That didn’t happen, but the rules for submitting accident reports are changing. Previously, accidents involving vehicles with Level 2 (and above) driving technology had to be reported. Now, Level 2 vehicles, such as those from Tesla, GM, and Stellantis, are exempt from the reporting system.
In fact, even Level 3 vehicles sold by Mercedes are also exempt. Instead, only accidents involving Level 4 and above driving technology must be reported.
Ultimately, this means less transparency regarding accident data for Level 2 and Level 3 vehicles. It will accelerate the government’s ability to track Level 4 and above vehicle accidents but leave virtually everyone except autonomous system manufacturers in the dark about the safety of Level 2 and 3 systems. While this is a significant change, it’s not the only notable one.
Expanded Exemptions for AVs on U.S.-Manufactured Vehicles
The government will also expand the AV Exemption Program to include domestically manufactured vehicles. Previously, this program mainly allowed vehicles not federally approved for U.S. roads to be in the country and tested on public roads. Now, the government will permit U.S.-manufactured vehicles to apply for this program and test them on public roads, even if the corresponding vehicles do not meet certain standards.
Finally, the new principles allow more opportunities for commercial deployment, though the government hasn’t yet explained in detail what this will entail. We expect the cap on the number of commercial AVs allowed per manufacturer to be lifted. Under the previous standard, Tesla would have needed a special exemption to deploy more than 2,500 AVs nationwide. Now, the path seems clearer for many more robotaxis to hit the road.
“By simplifying the SGO for accident reporting and expanding the existing exemption program for domestic vehicles, we are enabling AV manufacturers to evolve faster and spend less time on unnecessary processes while continuing to improve safety,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser. “These are the first steps toward making America a more welcoming environment for the next generation of automotive technology.”
Whether this vision will lead to safer roads or merely more unanswered questions about who is behind the wheel (or the algorithm) remains to be seen.