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

In response to a request from Varnum LLP (Varnum), NHTSA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on ...

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Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  1. 49 CFR Part 571
  2. [Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0728]
  3. RIN 2127-AN00
( printed page 47193)

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

In response to a request from Varnum LLP (Varnum), NHTSA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on June 26, 2026 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 comment period for the NPRM was originally scheduled to end on July 27, 2026. It will now end on August 26, 2026.

DATES:

The comment period for the NPRM published at 91 FR 38593 on June 26, 2026, is extended to August 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by the docket number in the heading of this document through any of the following methods:

  • Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
  • Fax: (202) 493-2251.
  • 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 https://www.regulations.gov, 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 https://www.transportation.gov/​privacy.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov 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:

For technical issues, you may contact Ms. Lina Valivullah, Office of Automation Safety; Telephone: 202-366-1810; Email: ; Facsimile: 202-493-2739. For legal issues, you may contact Mr. David Jasinski, NHTSA Office of the Chief Counsel, Email: . The mailing address of these officials is: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On June 26, 2026, NHTSA published an NPRM to amend FMVSS No. 135.[1] 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. The NPRM provided a 30-day comment period which closes on July 27, 2026.

On July 23, 2026, NHTSA received a request from Varnum for a 30-day extension of the comment period.[2] Varnum stated that the NPRM addresses highly technical subject matter and raises novel questions, requiring significant time to thoroughly review the proposed changes and develop comments. Varnum said a 30-day extension of the comment period would allow Varnum to advise clients in submission of comprehensive comments on the NPRM.

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 NPRM with its interest in obtaining specific feedback from stakeholders in a timely manner. Accordingly, NHTSA is extending the comment period until August 26, 2026.[3]

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95.

Jonathan Morrison,

Administrator.

Footnotes

2.  NHTSA-2026-0728.

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3.  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. 49 CFR 553.23. 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.

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[FR Doc. 2026-15231 Filed 7-27-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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91 FR 47193

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“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 135 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Extension of Comment Period,” thefederalregister.org (July 28, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-15231/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-135-to-accommodate-ads-equipped-vehicles-extension-of-c.