United States 2026 Driving Rule Changes
Official Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Last Updated: 1 February 2026
Summary
The United States introduces major vehicle safety changes in 2026: mandatory automatic emergency braking standards for all new vehicles by 2029, development of impaired driving prevention technology under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, updated NCAP safety ratings, and new autonomous vehicle framework regulations.
Key Changes
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Federal Standard
Effective 1 September 2029
Voluntary AEB adoption
AEB systems were voluntarily adopted by most manufacturers but not federally required
Mandatory AEB for all vehicles
All passenger cars and light trucks must have AEB that works up to 62 mph for vehicles and includes pedestrian detection in daylight and darkness
Official Source: NHTSA AEB Final Rule
Instructor's Tip
“NHTSA finalized FMVSS No. 127 requiring AEB on all new vehicles by September 2029. Systems must apply brakes automatically up to 90 mph for lead vehicles and 45 mph for pedestrians. This standard is expected to save 360 lives and prevent 24,000 injuries annually.”
Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology
Effective 1 January 2027
No impairment detection required
Vehicles had no built-in systems to detect or prevent drunk/impaired driving
Impairment detection standards in development
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 24220 requires NHTSA to develop standards for technology that passively detects driver impairment and prevents vehicle operation; rulemaking ongoing
Official Source: NHTSA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Instructor's Tip
“The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandates impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. NHTSA issued an ANPRM in January 2024 and is evaluating breath-based sensors, touch-based infrared systems, and camera-based monitoring. The final rule timeline remains uncertain; implementation is expected no earlier than 2027-2028 once technology is ready.”
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Standard
Effective 1 September 2029
No pedestrian AEB requirement
Pedestrian detection was an optional feature, not federally mandated
Mandatory pedestrian detection
All new vehicles must detect pedestrians in daylight and darkness and automatically brake up to 45 mph to avoid collisions
Official Source: NHTSA Pedestrian Safety
Instructor's Tip
“Pedestrian fatalities increased 51% between 2001 and 2021 while vehicle occupant deaths decreased. The new AEB standard specifically addresses this by requiring nighttime pedestrian detection. Always stay alert for pedestrians, especially at night.”
Changes by Category
📋Licensing(1)
Autonomous Vehicle Regulatory Framework
Effective 1 January 2026
Limited AV regulations
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards written for human-operated vehicles only
Modernized AV standards
NHTSA launching rulemakings to update FMVSS for vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS), including standards for vehicles without manual controls
Official Source: NHTSA AV Framework
🛡️Safety Rules(4)
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Federal Standard
Effective 1 September 2029
Voluntary AEB adoption
AEB systems were voluntarily adopted by most manufacturers but not federally required
Mandatory AEB for all vehicles
All passenger cars and light trucks must have AEB that works up to 62 mph for vehicles and includes pedestrian detection in daylight and darkness
Official Source: NHTSA AEB Final Rule
Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology
Effective 1 January 2027
No impairment detection required
Vehicles had no built-in systems to detect or prevent drunk/impaired driving
Impairment detection standards in development
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 24220 requires NHTSA to develop standards for technology that passively detects driver impairment and prevents vehicle operation; rulemaking ongoing
Official Source: NHTSA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Updated NCAP Safety Ratings Include ADAS
Effective 1 January 2027
Crash test ratings only
NCAP 5-star ratings based primarily on crash test performance
ADAS features in ratings
New ratings include blind spot warning, blind spot intervention, lane keeping assist, and pedestrian AEB (delayed from MY2026 to MY2027)
Official Source: NHTSA NCAP Update
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Standard
Effective 1 September 2029
No pedestrian AEB requirement
Pedestrian detection was an optional feature, not federally mandated
Mandatory pedestrian detection
All new vehicles must detect pedestrians in daylight and darkness and automatically brake up to 45 mph to avoid collisions
Official Source: NHTSA Pedestrian Safety
🌱Environmental Zones(1)
SAFE Vehicles Rule III - Fuel Economy Standards
Effective 1 January 2026
Previous CAFE standards
Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards set under previous administration
Revised MY 2022-2031 standards
New rulemaking adjusting fuel economy requirements for passenger cars and light trucks through model year 2031
Official Source: Federal Register SAFE Rule III
Instructor Tips
Re: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Federal Standard
Instructor's Tip
“NHTSA finalized FMVSS No. 127 requiring AEB on all new vehicles by September 2029. Systems must apply brakes automatically up to 90 mph for lead vehicles and 45 mph for pedestrians. This standard is expected to save 360 lives and prevent 24,000 injuries annually.”
Re: Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology
Instructor's Tip
“The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandates impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. NHTSA issued an ANPRM in January 2024 and is evaluating breath-based sensors, touch-based infrared systems, and camera-based monitoring. The final rule timeline remains uncertain; implementation is expected no earlier than 2027-2028 once technology is ready.”
Re: Updated NCAP Safety Ratings Include ADAS
Instructor's Tip
“NHTSA originally planned to add driver assistance features to the 5-star safety ratings for 2026 model year vehicles, but this has been postponed to 2027 to address industry concerns and finalize test procedures. When shopping for a new car, look for these ADAS features.”
Re: Autonomous Vehicle Regulatory Framework
Instructor's Tip
“NHTSA is modernizing safety standards for autonomous vehicles. New rules address vehicles without steering wheels or pedals, updating standards like FMVSS 102 (transmission), 103 (defrosting), and 104 (windshield wipers) that assumed human drivers. Self-driving vehicles are coming.”
Re: SAFE Vehicles Rule III - Fuel Economy Standards
Instructor's Tip
“The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III sets fuel economy standards through 2031. This affects the vehicles available on the market and their efficiency ratings. More fuel-efficient vehicles help reduce both costs and emissions.”
Re: Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Standard
Instructor's Tip
“Pedestrian fatalities increased 51% between 2001 and 2021 while vehicle occupant deaths decreased. The new AEB standard specifically addresses this by requiring nighttime pedestrian detection. Always stay alert for pedestrians, especially at night.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When will automatic emergency braking be required on all US vehicles?
Will new cars detect if I'm drunk and prevent me from driving?
How are the 5-star safety ratings changing?
What regulations apply to self-driving cars in the US?
Sources & Methodology
All rule changes are sourced from official government transport agencies and legal publications. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government agency. Rules may be subject to change before their effective dates.
Information last verified: 2026-02-01
Primary Sources:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Official regulatory body
- NHTSA AEB Final Rule — Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Federal Standard
- NHTSA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology
- NHTSA NCAP Update — Updated NCAP Safety Ratings Include ADAS
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