DOT Proposes Removing Brake Pedal Requirement for Fully Autonomous Vehicles

Executive Briefing

• Proposes eliminating mandatory brake pedals for vehicles designed exclusively for automated driving systems.
• Benefits Tesla's Cybercab and Amazon's Zoox, which are developing pedal- and steering-wheel-free robotaxis.
• Opens a 30-day public comment period before DOT finalizes any regulatory changes.
• Removes the exemption process that currently limits how many non-standard AVs can operate on roads.
• Continues a bipartisan deregulatory trend; Biden's NHTSA previously finalized rules allowing steering-wheel-free AVs.