U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced changes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Part 555 exemption process, aimed at accelerating the development of automated vehicles. The updated process will allow manufacturers to sell up to 2,500 vehicles annually that do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, such as lacking traditional steering wheels or driver-operated brakes. Manufacturers must prove their vehicles are as safe as compliant ones and that exemptions serve the public interest.
"The Part 555 exemption process has been rightly criticized for taking years – bogging developers down in unnecessary red tape that makes it impossible to keep pace with the latest technologies," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "We’ve streamlined this process to remove another barrier to transportation innovation in the United States, ensure American AV companies can out-compete international rivals, and maintain safety."
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser commented on the agency's efforts: "This next step in NHTSA’s AV Framework will advance innovation by supporting the commercial deployment of purpose-built automated vehicles that can satisfy safety requirements." He added that Part 555 exemptions would continue to be crucial for advancing the domestic AV industry while modernizing vehicle safety standards.
The changes include improvements to NHTSA's internal processes for faster processing times, better transparency, and increased engagement with applicants. Enhanced instructions will be provided to help applicants understand expectations and necessary information upfront. A letter detailing these improvements has been sent to stakeholders.
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