SELF DRIVE Act of 2026

This bill amends federal law to set safety requirements for vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS) and to establish a national crash data repository. It defines key terms like ADS-equipped vehicle and automated driving system, requires manufacturers to create a safety case proving their ADS does not pose an unreasonable risk, and mandates a final rule by September 30, 2027, for a safety standard. It also creates a National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository for reporting crashes involving ADS, allows limited commercial testing of ADS vehicles, exempts manufacturers from certain human-driver design requirements when ADS is engaged, and orders a review of a connected vehicle security rule.

Sec. 3, Updated or new motor vehicle safety requirements for vehicles with automated driving systems: This section adds new sections to federal law. It defines terms such as ADS-dedicated vehicle (designed for Level 4 or 5 automation only), ADS-equipped vehicle, automated driving system (Level 3-5), dynamic driving task, fallback-ready user, minimal risk condition, operational design domain, and vulnerable road user. Manufacturers must develop a safety case for each ADS version, including descriptions of hardware/software, operational design domain, engineering methodology, safety performance analysis, crash response, and a cybersecurity plan. The safety case must show the ADS can perform the entire dynamic driving task, detect vulnerable road users, handle transfers of control, achieve a minimal risk condition, comply with traffic laws, and detect objects/events. The Secretary must issue a final rule by September 30, 2027, requiring a safety case. ADS-dedicated vehicles carrying occupants must have a means for occupants to command a minimal risk condition and exit safely, and such vehicles are exempt from standards requiring manual controls for human drivers.

Sec. 4, Motor vehicle testing or evaluation: This section amends existing law to allow manufacturers of ADS or ADS-equipped vehicles to test or evaluate them without selling or leasing them. It also permits the Secretary to authorize limited commercial operations during testing, such as carrying passengers or freight, subject to limitations on vehicle numbers, mileage, revenue, or duration to prevent de facto deployment of non-compliant vehicles.

Sec. 5, Make inoperative: This section adds an exception to the rule that manufacturers cannot make safety devices inoperative. It allows a manufacturer to temporarily disable or alter a human-driver design element for safety reasons while an ADS is engaged and capable of performing the entire driving task, provided the manufacturer complies with the safety case requirements in Sec. 3.

Sec. 6, Protecting the security of connected vehicles: This section requires the Secretary of Commerce, within one year of enactment, to review the implementation of a final rule on securing the information and communications technology supply chain for connected vehicles. Within 60 days of that review, the Secretary must brief relevant congressional committees on the implementation.