NHTSA Issues Final Rule Allowing Adaptive Driving Beam Headlights

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a final rule amending the federal motor vehicle safety standard regulating lighting equipment (FMVSS No. 10 to include performance-based standards for adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights. ADB headlights or “smart headlights,” which have been permitted on vehicles in Europe since 2006, operate as high-beam headlights and automatically dim portions of the beam when oncoming vehicles are detected by sensors.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law last year mandated that NHTSA update FMVSS No. 108 to allow for this technology. The final rule permits the use of ABD headlights on new vehicles as well as aftermarket installation of these systems, both for replacing original equipment and replacing a non-ADB headlight.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.