AV Framework Updates and Request for Comments on Interim Guidance; Extension of Comment Period
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 publis...
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION:
Extension of comment period.
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:
Electronic Submissions:
Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
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
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
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket:
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to
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:
Stacy Balk, Rulemaking Office of Automation Safety by email:
stacy.balk@dot.gov,
or phone: (202) 841-4371, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On April 24, 2025, DOT and NHTSA announced
( printed 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]
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.
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]
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.
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
91 FR 55975
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“AV Framework Updates and Request for Comments on Interim Guidance; Extension of Comment Period,” thefederalregister.org (August 31, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-17741/av-framework-updates-and-request-for-comments-on-interim-guidance-extension-of-comment-period.
www.regulations.gov
www.transportation.gov/privacy
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)
49 CFR part 555