HTSA’s review of vehicle lighting standards concedes US rules have lagged the lamps automakers can build, with glare the test case
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a process to rewrite its vehicle lighting standards under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, with headlight glare high on the agenda. A negotiating committee of up to 18 stakeholders will help draft the changes.
Beyond glare from modern headlamps, the review covers LED lighting, dusk sensors, replaceable light sources and automatic high beams, plus headlamp height and aim. Testing of plastic optics and replacement lenses, and harmonisation with international safety standards, are also in scope.
NHTSA says it is turning to negotiated rulemaking for the first time in over 25 years. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy is to appoint lamp makers, equipment and engineering associations, safety groups and research bodies, with nominations and comments due by 9 November 2026.
Harmonisation matters most commercially, as closer international alignment could cut the need for US-specific lamp designs. Lighting suppliers also gain a direct hand in drafting.
In a statement, Jonathan Morrison, NHTSA Administrator, said: “Today’s standards do not allow automakers to deploy the latest safety-improving lighting technologies, so we are bringing key experts and stakeholders together to modernize our standards and address potential causes of glare. This collaborative approach will allow us to update outdated regulations, foster innovation, and keep everyone on our roads safer.”
Source: NHTSA
Source: www.automotiveworld.com
