NHTSA sets 2028 deadline for new robotaxi safety rulebook

NHTSA aims to publish a new performance-based safety rulebook for autonomous vehicles by 2028, replacing design-based standards that assume human drivers. The shift would eliminate requirements for steering wheels, brake pedals, mirrors and other hardware, directly benefiting purpose-built robotaxis like Tesla's Cybercab and Amazon's Zoox whilst removing current exemption caps. If you're building a robotaxi without a steering wheel or brake pedal, you've been operating under temporary exemptions capped at 2,500 vehicles—that cap expires when these rules land in 2028. You have 18 months to either prove your safety case to NHTSA's new performance standards or hit that fleet limit before the rulebook closes the door.