Federal agencies · NHTSA-2024-0100 · Rulemaking withdrawal

NHTSA withdraws proposed AV STEP program

Proposal withdrawnRecorded action: June 26, 2026

Waymo Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi photographed at night in July 2024. — Related automated-driving technology: a Waymo robotaxi in 2024. This is an illustrative vehicle photograph, not a record of participation in the withdrawn program. 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

NHTSA withdrew its January 2025 notice of proposed rulemaking for the Automated Driving System-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program, effective June 26, 2026.

What was withdrawn

AV STEP would have been a voluntary program with reporting and public-disclosure requirements for participating automated-driving developers, manufacturers, and operators. That proposal is no longer pending.

Withdrawing this proposal does not eliminate existing vehicle safety requirements, nor does it finalize a replacement program. NHTSA cited a reevaluation, public comments, and progress on other automated-driving initiatives.

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