Overview
- NHTSA proposed the change on June 25, 2026 to drop the mandatory manual brake pedal only for vehicles designed to operate exclusively without a human driver.
- The proposal does not alter existing braking-performance standards such as stopping-distance limits, so manufacturers must still meet strict safety metrics.
- The rule is part of a wider DOT shift from prescriptive hardware rules to performance-based Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for automated driving systems.
- An accelerated Part 555 exemption pathway would let each manufacturer deploy up to 2,500 exempted vehicles per year, creating room for limited commercial rollouts while capping scale.
- Adoption hinges on final testing protocols and measurable safety metrics, meaning high-profile failures or unfinished tests could slow or reshape how quickly driverless fleets expand.