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Proposed Rule

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 135 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles

Agency
DOT
Document Number
2026-12981
Published
June 26, 2026
Effective Date
-

Abstract

NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems." The proposed modifications would distinguish how regulations apply to vehicles with and without manually operated driving controls. The proposed modifications would clarify definitions, telltale requirements, performance requirements, and test procedures in the standard and remove sections that are no longer relevant. The stopping distance performance requirements, which address the primary safety purpose of the standard, would still apply to all subject vehicles. This rulemaking would remove unnecessary regulatory burdens and costs without detriment to vehicle safety.

Federal Register Source

This document is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. Access the full regulatory text, preamble, and docket comments below.

View Full Text on FederalRegister.gov →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026-12981 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-12981 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Transportation in the Federal Register on June 26, 2026. NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems." The proposed modifications would distinguish how regulations apply to vehicles with and without manually operated driving controls. The proposed modifications would clarify definitions, telltale requirements, performance requirements, and test procedures in the standard and remove sections that are no longer relevant. The stopping distance performance requirements, which address the primary safety purpose of the standard, would still apply to all subject vehicles. This rulemaking would remove unnecessary regulatory burdens and costs without detriment to vehicle safety. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/26/2026-12981/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-135-to-accommodate-ads-equipped.
Is document 2026-12981 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-12981 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.

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