NHTSA Launches Negotiated Rulemaking to Overhaul US Headlight Standards

Key points

• NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison announced the start of a negotiated rulemaking process to update FMVSS 108, aiming to balance driver safety with technological innovation.
• The review will address modern technologies including LEDs, ambient light sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources, as well as test procedures for lenses and optics.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will appoint up to 18 representatives from lighting manufacturers, safety organizations, and engineering associations to participate in the rulemaking.
• Public comments on the scope of the effort and committee membership are due by November 9, 2026.
• The update seeks to harmonize US standards with international counterparts, particularly regarding adaptive driving beam (ADB) systems, which were only approved in the US in 2022.
• Regulators aim to reduce glare caused by taller SUVs and brighter LED headlights, which are increasingly common but can blind drivers in lower vehicles.

Background

US headlight regulations have historically lagged behind Europe and Japan due to a lengthy, laborious rulemaking process. In 2013, NHTSA began a rulemaking process in response to a petition from Toyota, but it took five years to publish a rule for consideration. In 2022, NHTSA finally approved a rule allowing adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, which can selectively dim portions of the beam to avoid shining at other vehicles. However, US implementations have been limited in functionality compared to European-spec cars. The current FMVSS 108 standards for brightness have not fundamentally changed since 1997, creating a gap between available technology and regulatory approval.

How outlets are covering it

Ars Technica emphasizes the historical lag in US lighting technology and the potential for harmonizing with global standards, noting that previous attempts to adopt European rules failed due to concerns about subjective glare tests. LiveNOW from FOX highlights the public complaint angle, noting a rise in glare complaints and the impact on older drivers, while citing a 2025 IIHS study that found headlight glare was cited in only 1-2 out of every 1,000 nighttime crashes. Motor1.com focuses on the technical balancing act between brightness and glare, noting that the new process is the first negotiated rulemaking in over 25 years and highlights the need to update rules for LED brightness and headlamp height/aim. Axios provided minimal content, primarily cookie notices, and did not offer substantive analysis on the policy change.

Why it matters

Modernizing headlight regulations is critical for improving nighttime driving safety, as half of all traffic fatalities occur at night despite only a quarter of driving happening after dark. Updated rules could enable the widespread adoption of adaptive lighting technologies that reduce glare while maintaining road illumination. This could lead to fewer accidents and improved visibility for all drivers, particularly older individuals who are more sensitive to glare. The harmonization with international standards may also reduce compliance costs for automakers and accelerate the deployment of safer vehicles in the US market.

What to watch

The NHTSA will finalize the committee of up to 18 stakeholders appointed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Public comments on the scope of the rulemaking and committee membership are due by November 9, 2026. Following the negotiated rulemaking process, NHTSA will draft new regulations for FMVSS 108, which may include updated standards for LED brightness, adaptive beam systems, and glare reduction. The final rule could take several years to implement, similar to previous rulemaking efforts, but the negotiated process aims to streamline the timeline. Automakers will need to adjust their lighting systems to comply with the new standards, potentially leading to more advanced and safer headlight technologies in US vehicles.