NHTSA AV federal framework
NHTSA Automated Driving Systems Federal Framework (Standing General Order 2021-01 and ADS guidance)
United States · NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01; 49 U.S.C. § 30166
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- June 29, 2021
- Applies to
- Manufacturers and operators of Level 2 ADAS and Levels 3–5 ADS vehicles operating on U.S. public roads
- Enforced by
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA's Standing General Order requires automakers and operators of Level 2 driver-assistance and Level 3–5 automated driving systems to report crashes involving those systems. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards regulate vehicle design; NHTSA's voluntary safety guidance (AV 4.0) and the Automated Vehicle Comprehensive Plan provide non-binding policy direction.
Who is protected: The driving and pedestrian public exposed to automated vehicles
Legal detail
NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 (June 29, 2021, amended Apr. 2023) under 49 U.S.C. § 30166(g); FMVSS reform begun via the 2022 occupant-protection rule allowing AVs without manual controls (49 C.F.R. § 571 amendments); AV 4.0 and AV TEST Initiative remain voluntary.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | June 29, 2021 |
| Citation | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01; 49 U.S.C. § 30166 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Civil penalties up to ~$132 million per related series of FMVSS violations; recall authority |
| Topics | government use of AI · consumer protection · automated decision-making |
| Agency page | NHTSA Standing General Order on Crash Reporting (NHTSA.gov) |
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