SELF DRIVE Act of 2026

Key Points

• Congress is considering a bill to create the first major set of national safety rules for self-driving cars. It would require car makers to prove their technology is safe by submitting a detailed 'safety case' to the government before they can sell or import these vehicles.
• The plan would create a national database to track every crash involving a self-driving vehicle. Manufacturers would have to report details about any accident that causes an injury, death, or even a towed car within 30 days of the event to help the government monitor safety trends.
• The bill allows for 'driverless' vehicles that do not have steering wheels or pedals, as long as they have an emergency button for passengers to stop the car safely. It also lets companies test these vehicles by carrying real passengers or freight for a fee to see how they work in the real world.
• Federal rules would take priority over state laws regarding how self-driving cars are built and how they perform. However, states would still keep control over traditional areas like traffic laws, car registration, insurance, and safety inspections.
• Car companies would be required to have a written cybersecurity plan to protect vehicles from hackers. This plan must explain how the company will detect and respond to unauthorized attempts to take control of a car's steering or braking systems.