Technology and Science08 October, 20262 min read
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison Prepares To Rewrite FMVSS 108 Headlight Glare Standards
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NHTSA plans to modernize FMVSS 108 to curb headlight glare and enable new tech. Outdated standards last updated in 1997; reform aims to simplify tech adoption for automakers.
NHTSA targets glare
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is preparing to rewrite Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 to address concerns about headlight glare and to allow automakers to deploy the latest safety-improving lighting technologies.
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison 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."
NHTSA plans to improve rules for LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources, while also evaluating headlamp height and aim and how they impact driver visibility.
NHTSA’s review also aims to address headlight glare and make appropriate changes, as complaints about glare have increased and some lawmakers have urged the government to set a maximum headlight brightness standard.
Negotiated rulemaking panel
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will appoint up to 18 representatives from lighting manufacturers, automotive equipment associations, safety organizations, research institutions, and engineering groups to help tackle the technical issues. Ars Technica described the agency’s approach as a negotiated rulemaking process to rewrite the regulations to suit 2026, citing the current administration’s goal to "bolster driver safety, slashing red tape, and embracing new technologies."
Jalopnik said NHTSA will work with industry experts and collaborate with 18 vehicle lighting manufacturers, safety organizations, motor vehicle equipment associations, research institutions, and engineering associations. Motor1 said the negotiated rulemaking process is the first time this has happened in over a quarter of a century, and it also said comments and membership applications are due by November 9.
What could change
NHTSA said it will examine rules governing LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources, and it will also look at headlamp height and aim and how they affect visibility.
Quartz said federal headlight standards for minimum and maximum brightness have not been updated since 1997, citing the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Quartz also reported that an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found headlight glare was listed as a contributing factor in just one or two of every 1,000 nighttime crashes across 11 states between 2015 and 2023, and it said drivers older than 70 appear to be most affected.
Quartz further said NHTSA is soliciting public comments on the scope and the committee membership of the rulemaking, and it stated that all comments and membership applications must be received by Nov. 9, 2026, under Docket No. NHTSA-2026-1981.