Prior to this exemption, only autonomous vehicles from overseas were eligible
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- Zoox’s autonomous robotaxi without traditional controls has been certified by the NHTSA.
- The safety agency has previously investigated Zoox’s vehicles after accidents and recalls.
- The Trump administration is eager to boost American tech by unwinding some regulations.
Self-driving cars are inching closer to mainstream use, and a recent regulatory milestone marks a significant step forward for one of the sector’s key players. Autonomous vehicle developer Zoox has received a notable exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), officially certifying its vehicles for demonstration use.
Read: Zoox Robotaxis Could Eventually Become Part Of Amazon Prime
The decision represents a meaningful win for the Amazon-owned company and comes just as a federal investigation into its past regulatory compliance comes to a close.
In 2022, the NHTSA opened a probe into Zoox vehicles to see if they’d met federal safety requirements after being self-certified without having any traditional driving controls. Recently, Zoox applied for an exemption from a few NHTSA requirements, and it has now been approved.
A Shift in Policy for US-Based AV Companies
The exemption has been issued through the expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program and forms an important part of the Transport Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s Innovation Agenda, which aims to promote US technology and safety. Previously, foreign autonomous vehicles had been eligible for exemptions, but not those manufactured in the United States.
Importantly, this could pave the way for other US-based companies to receive similar NHTSA exemptions. Secretary Duffy is particularly eager to grow America’s autonomous vehicle capabilities, and this could prove to be a pivotally important way to do so.
“This is a win-win for safety and innovation. Under the leadership of President Trump, U.S. companies like Zoox have a process to create and test their latest technologies. America – not China – can and will drive the future of self-driving cars forward,” Duffy said.
Next Steps for Zoox
Despite the exemption, Zoox will need to revise or remove previous claims suggesting its purpose-built vehicles already complied with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The updated certification allows testing under the exemption, but not without an adjustment in public messaging.
The NHTSA has been keeping a close eye on Zoox. In May 2024, it opened a probe into the company’s vehicles following two rear-end collisions and a braking-related recall. In May, Zoox also had to recall 270 vehicles shortly after a robotaxi was involved in a crash in Las Vegas.
