The Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to update federal regulations and establish a strategic plan to facilitate the safe and widespread deployment of advanced autonomous vehicles. Congress finds that current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) were not designed for fully autonomous vehicles, creating certification challenges and hindering innovation. The bill seeks to ensure the United States maintains global leadership in this technology, recognizing the potential for improved safety, efficiency, and mobility.

Specifically, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation address all certification challenges identified in the 2016 Volpe Center Report within one year of enactment. These challenges primarily relate to the presumption of a human driver and performance specifications that do not adequately account for autonomous vehicle designs. The Secretary is directed to develop, amend, or exempt FMVSS requirements to remove obstructions for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles certification, including aspects like seating arrangements, cabin configurations, and driver controls.

Furthermore, the Act requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive roadmap within one year for the commercial-scale deployment of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. This roadmap must support design, manufacturing, and deployment in the U.S., promote American leadership in global markets, and identify ways to lower practical, technological, and regulatory barriers. It also mandates a supplemental technology assessment to address new industry developments, emerging safety concerns, and recommend necessary updates to existing FMVSS to ensure clarity, consistency, and safety for autonomous vehicle designs.