AV Framework Updates and Request for Comments on Interim Guidance; Extension of Comment Period

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In response to a request from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators), NHTSA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the notice published on July 31, 2026 summarizing NHTSA's recent activity relating to the AV Framework and requesting comment on interim guidance for commercial deployment exemptions for automated vehicles. The comment period for the notice was originally scheduled to end on August 31, 2026. It will now end on September 30, 2026.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 167 (Monday, August 31, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 167 (Monday, August 31, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55975-55976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2026-1552]


AV Framework Updates and Request for Comments on Interim 
Guidance; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In response to a request from the Alliance for Automotive 
Innovation (Auto Innovators), NHTSA is announcing a 30-day extension of 
the public comment period for the notice published on July 31, 2026 
summarizing NHTSA's recent activity relating to the AV Framework and 
requesting comment on interim guidance for commercial deployment 
exemptions for automated vehicles. The comment period for the notice 
was originally scheduled to end on August 31, 2026. It will now end on 
September 30, 2026.

DATES: The comment period for the notice published at 91 FR 48485 on 
July 31, 2026, is extended. Comments should be received on or before 
September 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number in 
the heading of this document through any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Suite W58-
213, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help 
you, please call (202) 366-9826 or (202) 366-9317 before coming.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets via internet.
    Confidential Business Information: If you claim that any of the 
information in your comment (including any additional documents or 
attachments) constitutes confidential business information within the 
meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) or is protected from disclosure pursuant 
to 18 U.S.C. 1905, please see the detailed instructions given under the 
Public Participation heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacy Balk, Rulemaking Office of 
Automation Safety by email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5d6d1c4c6dc8bc7c4c9cee5c1cad18bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a494e5b594314585b56517a5e554e145d554c">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or phone: (202) 841-
4371, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 24, 2025, DOT and NHTSA announced

[[Page 55976]]

a new automated vehicle (AV) framework as part of the Department's 
broader transportation innovation agenda. This framework solidified 
that advanced vehicle technologies, such as automated driving systems 
(ADS), are a key priority of the agency. The framework is rooted in 
three principles: (1) prioritize the safety of ongoing AV operations on 
public roads; (2) unleash innovation by removing unnecessary regulatory 
barriers; and (3) enable the commercial deployment of AVs to enhance 
safety and mobility for the American public.\1\ On July 31, 2026, NHTSA 
published a notice summarizing NHTSA's recent activity relating to the 
AV Framework and requesting comment on interim guidance for commercial 
deployment exemptions for automated vehicles.\2\
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    \1\ See U.S. Dept. of Transp., Trump's Transportation Secretary 
Sean P. Duffy Unveils New Automated Vehicle Framework as Part of 
Innovation Agenda (Apr. 24, 2025), available at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-new-automated-vehicle-framework">https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-new-automated-vehicle-framework</a>.
    \2\ 91 FR 48485.
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    General Exemptions issued under 49 U.S.C. 30113, which are 
implemented in NHTSA's regulations in 49 CFR part 555, allow 
manufacturers to produce and sell vehicles to consumers or otherwise 
commercially deploy vehicles that do not comply with all applicable 
FMVSS. The interim guidance in the notice provides more detail about 
what types of information would be most helpful to the agency, how 
NHTSA reviews each of the possible grounds for a General Exemption, and 
whether the exemption furthers the public interest. Although the 
interim guidance is intended to help all part 555 applicants, it is 
expected to be especially helpful to manufacturers seeking exemptions 
for ADS-equipped vehicles because it contains a section dedicated to 
the information likely to be useful in NHTSA's review of applications 
for ADS-equipped vehicles. In addition, the notice described in more 
detail the more dynamic and flexible approach to evaluating and 
overseeing General Exemptions involving ADS that NHTSA announced on 
June 13, 2025. The notice provided a 30-day comment period which closes 
on August 31, 2026.
    On August 10, 2026, NHTSA received a request from Auto Innovators 
for a 30-day extension of the comment period.\3\ Auto Innovators stated 
that the notice ``presents numerous interconnected questions with 
potentially significant implications for future rulemaking and 
guidance.'' Auto Innovators said a 30-day extension of the comment 
period would facilitate thoughtful stakeholder engagement and allow 
more technically robust comments.
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    \3\ Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Docket No. NHTSA-2026-
1552-0001.
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    NHTSA is granting the request to extend the comment period by 30 
days. NHTSA has determined that the requestors have shown good cause 
for an extension and that the extension is consistent with public 
interest. A 30-day extension appropriately balances NHTSA's interest in 
providing the public with sufficient time to comment on the notice with 
its interest in obtaining specific feedback from stakeholders in a 
timely manner. Accordingly, NHTSA is extending the comment period until 
September 30, 2026.\4\
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    \4\ Readers should note that, even after the comment closing 
date has passed, interested persons are able to file comments in the 
docket, which NHTSA will consider to the extent practicable. NHTSA 
may also continue to file relevant information in the docket as it 
becomes available. Accordingly, the Agency recommends that readers 
periodically check the docket for new material.

    Issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95.
Jonathan Morrison,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-17741 Filed 8-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P


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