The SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 establishes federal oversight of self-driving vehicles by giving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration authority to set safety standards for autonomous driving systems, with the goal of advancing U.S. competitiveness in this technology while improving road safety and job creation. Manufacturers must submit detailed "safety cases" proving their self-driving systems are safe, implement cybersecurity protections, and report crash data to a new National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository by September 30, 2026, with specific crashes involving fatalities, injuries, or vulnerable road users reported within 30 days. The bill sets a September 30, 2027 deadline for the Transportation Department to finalize regulations and allows limited commercial testing of autonomous vehicles under federal oversight. Federal law will preempt state rules on autonomous vehicle manufacturing and deployment, though states retain control over traffic laws, vehicle registration, insurance, and consumer protection. This legislation aims to create a uniform national framework that encourages autonomous vehicle development while maintaining safety standards and public transparency through data sharing.
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