Trump Administration Introduces New US Automated Vehicle Framework
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a new federal framework aimed at shaping the development and deployment of automated vehicles (AVs).
Introduced by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the framework is part of the Trump administration’s broader agenda to support technological innovation in transportation while maintaining national safety standards.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy said:
This Administration understands that we’re in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As part of DOT’s innovation agenda, our new framework will slash red tape and move us closer to a single national standard that spurs innovation and prioritises safety.
Three Pillars of the Framework
The AV Framework is structured around three main priorities:
Safety on Public Roads
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will retain its Standing General Order (SGO) on crash reporting for vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS). However, the agency intends to streamline how data is reported, focusing on essential safety information while reducing duplicated requirements.
Regulatory Reform
To reduce obstacles to innovation, the framework includes steps to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These standards currently act as a key regulatory benchmark for road vehicle safety but are being revised to better accommodate the development of AV technologies.
Commercial Deployment
The framework will also support commercial deployment of AVs by expanding the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP). Previously limited to imported vehicles, the AVEP now includes American-built models, removing a regulatory discrepancy that had been seen as a constraint on domestic innovation.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said:
By streamlining the SGO for Crash Reporting and expanding an existing exemption program to domestic vehicles, we are enabling AV manufacturers to develop faster and spend less time on unnecessary process, while still advancing safety. These are the first steps toward making America a more welcoming environment for the next generation of automotive technology.
This move forms part of the Trump administration’s wider transportation innovation strategy, which includes support for connected vehicles, advanced traffic systems, and updated infrastructure policy. It also comes amid ongoing debate over the roles of federal and state governments in regulating AV technologies, with the administration favouring a national approach over a state-by-state regulatory landscape.