US Auto Regulators Propose Removing Brake Pedal Requirements for Robotaxis

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to eliminate the requirement for foot-operated service brakes and manually operated parking brakes in vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS). This move aims to remove regulatory barriers for robotaxi developers like Waymo, Amazon, and Tesla, who are designing vehicles without traditional manual controls. By shifting focus from physical hardware to software-driven performance standards, the proposal marks a significant regulatory pivot intended to accelerate autonomous vehicle innovation while addressing potential safety risks posed by passenger interference with automated systems.

The NHTSA's proposal seeks to modify federal brake safety standards for light vehicles, specifically targeting those designed with automated driving systems (ADS) and no manual controls. Under the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), all vehicles are required to have traditional foot-operated or manually operated braking systems. The agency argues that these physical controls are unnecessary regulatory burdens that could actually compromise safety, as passengers might intentionally or unintentionally override the ADS. While the physical pedals may be removed, the NHTSA emphasized that existing braking performance and stopping-distance requirements will remain strictly in place to ensure vehicle safety regardless of the manner of brake control application.

Major industry players including Tesla, Waymo, and Amazon have already been developing vehicle prototypes that lack steering wheels and pedals, making this regulatory shift a critical milestone for the commercialization of purpose-built robotaxis. However, the agency acknowledged that ADS technology is still maturing and continues to face public scrutiny due to high-profile incidents, such as Waymo vehicles navigating flooded roads or fatal crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot. Despite these safety headaches, the NHTSA maintains that passengers in a driverless taxi should not be expected to perform driver functions like engaging a parking brake. The agency does expect manufacturers to provide some method for passengers to signal the vehicle to stop, though it will not mandate a standardized interface, allowing the implementation to vary by manufacturer.

The rulemaking comes at a time of significant transition for the NHTSA, which the source reports has faced staff cuts—particularly in departments responsible for regulating self-driving vehicles—following the influence of the Department of Government Efficiency. While the proposal would exempt ADS-only vehicles, traditional cars and those equipped with driver-assistance systems like Ford BlueCruise or Tesla Autopilot will still be required to maintain manual brake pedals. The public has until July 27 to submit comments on the proposal under docket number NHTSA-2026-0728, although the agency noted that standardized testing methods for these driverless configurations may require further development as the industry evolves.