Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield defrosting and defogging systems," and FMVSS No. 104, "Windshield wiping and washing systems." The proposed modifications would except vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that do not have manually operated driving controls from these standards. This rulemaking would remove unnecessary regulatory burdens and costs associated with systems intended to provide visibility for a person driving the vehicle. As these systems do not fulfill the same safety need on an ADS-equipped vehicle without manually operated driving controls, the proposed changes are not expected to have adverse safety effects. Manufacturers may still provide these systems if they choose to do so. These actions are part of a larger NHTSA effort to address vehicle automation in the agency's regulations. This proposal would also harmonize FMVSS Nos. 103 and 104 with current industry standards through incorporations by reference.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 571 [Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0629] RIN 2127-AM71 AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 103, “Windshield defrosting and defogging systems,” and FMVSS No. 104, “Windshield wiping and washing systems.” The proposed modifications would except vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that do not have manually operated driving controls from these standards. This rulemaking would remove unnecessary regulatory burdens and costs associated with systems intended to provide visibility for a person driving the vehicle. As these systems do not fulfill the same safety need on an ADS-equipped vehicle without manually operated driving controls, the proposed changes are not expected to have adverse safety effects. Manufacturers may still provide these systems if they choose to do so. These actions are part of a larger NHTSA effort to address vehicle automation in the agency's regulations. This proposal would also harmonize FMVSS Nos. 103 and 104 with current industry standards through incorporations by reference. DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than April 15, 2026. Proposed Effective Date: Vehicles manufactured 180 days after the publication date of the final rule. ADDRESS…
Citation: 91 FR 12537
