Federal agencies · NHTSA-2026-1552 · Agency notice

NHTSA comment period closes on automated-vehicle exemption guidance

Comment period closedRecorded action: September 30, 2026

Waymo Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi photographed at night in July 2024. — Related automated-driving technology: a Waymo Jaguar robotaxi in July 2024. The photo does not show a vehicle receiving an exemption. Image: Votpuske / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · 4000 × 2568 · Downsampled where needed to 4K or larger and WebP optimized; smaller card preview. No upscaling.

What happened

The extended public-comment period for NHTSA's July 31 notice on interim guidance for commercial deployment exemptions for automated vehicles ended September 30, 2026.

What the notice covers

The agency sought feedback on guidance for reviewing requests to deploy vehicles equipped with automated driving systems that do not meet every applicable federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Closing the comment period does not turn the interim guidance into a final rule or grant blanket approval to deploy driverless vehicles. The underlying federal motor vehicle safety standards remain in effect.

Verified October 27, 2026. This is a RobotMe summary of the official record; it is not legal advice.