US Weighs Removing Steering Wheel Requirement for Driverless Cars

The steering wheel, a symbol of automotive control for over a century, could soon vanish from the passenger compartment of US driverless cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reconsidering the federal requirement that mandates manual controls—including steering wheels and pedals—in all vehicles sold in the United States.

The move would fundamentally reshape how autonomous vehicles are designed and deployed, rewarding companies like Tesla, which are already engineering toward driverless cabins without traditional inputs. NHTSA's current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), written in the 1960s, assume a human driver is always present. As autonomous driving technology matures, those rules are increasingly seen as a barrier to innovation.

NHTSA first signaled its openness to change with an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in 2022, but the agency has not yet issued a final rule. Now, sources indicate that a formal proposal could come within months, driven by industry lobbying and the accelerating rollout of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous systems. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly promised a purpose-built Robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals, citing NHTSA's current rules as the primary obstacle.

Other companies stand to benefit as well: Waymo already operates fully driverless vehicles in multiple cities, though its current fleet—based on Chrysler Pacifica and Jaguar I-PACE platforms—still has steering wheels for regulatory compliance. Cruise had similar setups before its operations were suspended. Removing the steering wheel requirement would allow those companies to design more spacious, cost-effective interiors optimized for mobility-as-a-service.

Proponents argue that eliminating manual controls will improve safety by removing driver error entirely. According to NHTSA data, 94% of serious crashes involve human choice or error. Opponents, including safety advocacy groups like the Center for Auto Safety, warn that driverless systems still lack the reliability to operate without human oversight, especially under adverse weather or unexpected conditions. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major automakers, has urged a cautious, phased approach.

Economically, the regulatory shift could unlock new business models. Autonomous ride-hailing and delivery services would no longer need to include driver interfaces, reducing manufacturing costs by an estimated 15–20%, according to industry analysts. That could accelerate adoption and lower fares for consumers. However, insurers and legal experts are raising questions about liability in a world without any human operator.

The impact extends beyond the auto industry. Autonomous vehicle regulation is a global race, with China and Europe moving to establish their own standards. The US, which has traditionally led automotive design, risks falling behind if NHTSA delays. Tesla's focus on AI and robotaxis makes the company a central player, but other automakers like Ford, GM, and Mercedes-Benz are also developing AV platforms.

What happens next? NHTSA is expected to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking within six months, followed by a public comment period. A final rule could come in 2025, but legal challenges from safety groups or states could extend the timeline. Key milestones to watch include the availability of crash-mitigation data from current AV fleets, the outcome of ongoing NHTSA investigations into Tesla's Autopilot, and any legislative action in Congress. For better or worse, the age of the steering wheel may be ending.