NHTSA is forming a negotiated-rulemaking advisory committee to examine FMVSS 108, including headlight glare, LEDs, automatic high beams, lamp height, aim and test procedures.
NHTSA announced the initiative on October 6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, that it will use negotiated rulemaking to examine updates to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. FMVSS 108 governs lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment on new motor vehicles and motor-vehicle equipment.
The agency is forming an advisory committee
NHTSA says the process will bring vehicle-lighting manufacturers, motor-vehicle equipment associations, safety organizations, research institutions and engineering associations into a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee. The agency describes this as its first use of negotiated rulemaking in more than 25 years.
Up to 18 stakeholders may be appointed
According to the agency's release, the U.S. Transportation Secretary will appoint as many as 18 stakeholders. NHTSA is requesting nominations and comments about the committee's scope and membership balance. Appointment to the committee is separate from submitting a public comment to the docket.
Comments and nominations are due November 9
NHTSA states that comments and membership applications must be received by November 9, 2026. The agency identifies docket NHTSA-2026-1981 for submissions. Anyone considering a filing should follow the instructions in the official notice and confirm the current deadline on the docket.
Headlight glare is one of the central questions
The agency says the committee will examine how modern headlighting technology affects glare for other road users and consider appropriate changes. Glare is especially relevant to commercial drivers who spend long periods at night and whose eye height, mirrors, windshield condition and opposing traffic exposure can differ from passenger-car conditions.
The work also covers LEDs and automatic lighting
NHTSA lists LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams and replaceable light sources among the technologies to be reviewed. The announcement does not endorse a particular design or performance limit. It begins a process in which technical evidence and stakeholder positions will inform later regulatory work.
Lamp height and aim are on the agenda
The agency plans to evaluate how headlamp height and aim affect driver visibility. For truck and bus stakeholders, those subjects can involve both illumination for the vehicle operator and glare experienced by other road users. The notice does not announce a new inspection tolerance or direct drivers to alter factory lighting.
Testing procedures and materials may be modernized
NHTSA says the committee will consider streamlining test procedures for plastic optics and replaceable lenses. It will also examine alignment between U.S. lighting requirements and international safety standards. Any eventual proposal would still need to identify specific changes and the vehicles or equipment to which they apply.
This is not yet a new lighting rule
The October announcement and committee notice do not themselves amend FMVSS 108, require fleets to retrofit vehicles or change the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Drivers and carriers must continue to follow current equipment, inspection, repair and state traffic-law requirements while the process develops.
Current CMV lighting duties remain in force
Commercial vehicles must continue to carry and maintain the lamps, reflective devices and conspicuity equipment required for the vehicle and operation. Drivers should report failed, obscured, damaged or improperly aimed lights through the carrier's inspection and repair process and should not install unapproved replacements based on speculation about a future standard.
The trucking industry should watch the docket, not headlines alone
Committee membership, meetings, recommendations and any later agency proposal can clarify which technologies or test methods may change. Manufacturers, fleets, drivers and safety groups can monitor docket NHTSA-2026-1981 and official NHTSA notices. A committee recommendation would not by itself equal a final rule.
Primary-source note
This report is based on NHTSA's October 6, 2026 press release and the agency's Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee notice scheduled for Federal Register publication on October 8. The reported topics, committee size, docket and November 9 deadline are attributed to NHTSA. CDL Truck Pro has not inferred a final technical standard, compliance date or retrofit mandate that the agency has not issued.
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Official sources
NHTSA: Modernizing Vehicle Lighting Standards, October 6, 2026Regulations.gov: Docket NHTSA-2026-1981Current FMVSS No. 108 (49 CFR 571.108)CDL Truck Pro provides educational information. Confirm licensing, safety, tax, and regulatory requirements through current official sources and qualified professionals.