Document jyY08ryo26a21a7a0ez1DX8Y9

From: Rushton, Sean (NHTSA) Sent: Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:29:18 +0000 Bcc: awolf@venable.com; aadler@freightwaves.com; Iropek@gizmodo.com; abe@insideunmanned.com; jstinson@industrydive.com; sameer@technical.ly; amir@theinformation.com; Chris Marquette;(b)(6) Subject: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Streamlines Exemption Process for Noncompliant Automated Vehicles ICYMI. Let me know If you have any questions. DATE: June 13, 2025 Contact: NHTSA Public Affairs Email: NHTSAmedia@dot.gov U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Streamlines Exemption Process for Noncompliant Automated Vehicles Noncompliant AVs will no longer be stuck waitingfor yearsfor approval to operate on U.S. roads WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will further accelerate the safe development of automated vehicles by streamlining the Part 555 exemption process. The exemption will continue to allow manufacturers to sell up to 2,500 motor vehicles per year that do not fully comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This includes vehicles that do not have traditional steering wheels, driver-operated brakes, or rearview mirrors. Manufacturers must demonstrate that their vehicles provide an equivalent safety level as compliant vehicles and that the exemption is in the public interest. This latest development builds on Secretary Duffy's innovation agenda and NHTSA's AV Framework. "The Part 555 exemption process has been rightly criticizedfor takingyears -- bogging developers down in unnecessary red tape that makes it impossible to keep pace with the latest technologies," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. "We've streamlined this OST-2025-1200 Page 02797 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028507 process to remove another barrier to transportation innovation in the United States, ensure American AV companies can out-compete international rivals, and maintain safety." "This next step in NHTSA's AVFramework will advance innovation by supporting the commercial deployment ofpurpose-built automated vehicles that can satis.b,safety requirements," NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said. "The agency continues working to modernize the FMVSSfor automated vehicles, and in the meantime Part 555 exemptions will play an integral role in enabling the ongoing advancement of our domestic AV industry." The streamlined Part 555 exemption also involves improvements to NHTSA's internal processes to expedite processing time, improve transparency, and increase engagement with applicants. NHTSA will issue improved instructions to give applicants a better idea of what to expect and ensure they provide necessary information up front. NHTSA also issued a letter to stakeholders about these improvements. ### Find information on NHTSA.gov: Briefing Room I Recalls and investigations resources I New recalls and investigations by date I Reports to Congress I Data, publications and data tools Vehicle and behavioral safety research I Vehicle and equipment safety ratings NHTSA, 1200 NEW JERSEY AVE SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20590, United States Unsubscribe OST-2025-1200 Page 02798 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028508