---
title: NHTSA Proposes Changes to FMVSS No. 108 for ADS-Equipped Vehicles
canonical: https://federalfeed.com/nhtsa-proposes-changes-to-fmvss-no-108-for-ads-equipped-vehicles/
published: '2026-10-28T20:11:58-04:00'
updated: '2026-10-28T20:11:58-04:00'
author: FederalFeed Staff
section: Rules & Deadlines
tags:
- Cars & Trucks
- NHTSA
source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
source_url: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21794/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-108-to-accommodate-ads-equipped
publisher: FederalFeed
attribution: Copyright FederalFeed. Quote with credit to FederalFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# NHTSA Proposes Changes to FMVSS No. 108 for ADS-Equipped Vehicles

On October 26, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, which covers lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. The proposed updates aim to remove unnecessary requirements and provide design flexibility for vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that lack manually operated driving controls. Public comments on the proposal are open until November 25, 2026, according to the agency.

---

### Press Release: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

*Published October 26, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21794/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-108-to-accommodate-ads-equipped).*

#### Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 108 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles

Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

#### Summary

NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The proposed updates to the standard are intended to remove unnecessary requirements and to provide design flexibility without impact on vehicle safety. The first two proposed changes would amend the test voltage specification for integral beam type headlamps and remove requirements that apply to vertical headlamp arrangements. Further proposed changes address vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that do not have manually operated driving controls. Those modifications would limit the application of certain requirements for manually operated turn signal, hazard warning signal, and beam switching controls to vehicles with manually operated driving controls. The changes are intended to address regulatory burdens and costs associated with equipment that does not fulfill the same purpose or provide safety benefits in an ADS-equipped vehicle without manually operated driving controls as in a vehicle with such controls. The changes would also narrow certain requirements for telltales to vehicles with manually operated driving controls and incorporate the term "telltale" where appropriate throughout the standard. Finally, a proposed addition to the standard would allow cyan-colored ADS marker lamps as optional motor vehicle lighting equipment in ADS-equipped vehicles.

#### Key dates

- Public comments close: November 25, 2026

Comments should be submitted no later than November 25, 2026.

Full text: [Federal Register document 2026-21794](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21794/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-108-to-accommodate-ads-equipped)

Source: [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21794/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-modernization-of-fmvss-no-108-to-accommodate-ads-equipped)