Feds propose new regulatory framework for robotaxis without manual driving controls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled a proposed framework to streamline the rollout of autonomous vehicles (AVs) without manual controls like steering wheels and pedals.

Driving the news: The framework introduces the ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP), allowing companies to deploy AVs that don’t have manual controls.

• AV manufacturers will need to provide extensive safety data to participate in the voluntary program.

Why it matters: Today, AVs with manual controls can operate without NHTSA oversight. But for vehicles without human controls, like Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis, companies must secure exemptions — unless they self-certify.

Zooming in: NHTSA’s proposal includes two tiers — one for AVs with fallback human controls and another for fully autonomous designs.

• Participating automakers must submit reports periodically and on a per-accident basis. The NHTSA may publish these reports for transparency.

• Over time, the agency will use the data to identify problem areas and establish minimum safety standards for AVSs for AVs.

What’s next: However, the future of the NHTSA’s new proposal remains uncertain. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has advocated for abandoning crash test reporting criticized by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

• Whether the incoming administration plans to accept those recommendations or implement a different set of policies is unclear.

Become an automotive insider in just 5 minutes.

Get the weekly email that delivers transparent insights into the car market.

Join 90,000+ others now, it's free:

Don’t wait for March or April to boost your tax season sales.

With the Tax Max “file and drive” sales event Tax Max can help a customer access their tax refund same day for a down payment starting January 2!

No need to wait for the IRS. The same day tax refund advance, allows a Tax Max customer to apply for up to $7,000 on the same day they file to use toward their down payment.

No additional work from staff as the entire tax filing process can be completed online and from your customer’s phone.

Tax Max prepares the return, refund sent to dealer for a down payment and the customer gets the car. It’s that simple with Tax Max.