SELF DRIVE Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (7 Jun 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
What this bill does
H.R. 3711, known as the SELF DRIVE Act, would establish federal guidelines for the safety of highly automated vehicles, which are cars capable of performing all driving tasks. The bill aims to encourage the development and testing of these vehicles. It would preempt states from creating their own laws regarding the design, construction, or performance of such vehicles, unless those laws are identical to federal standards.
The Department of Transportation would be required to mandate safety assessment certifications for the development of highly automated vehicles and their systems. Manufacturers would also need to create cybersecurity and privacy plans before selling these vehicles. The bill also mandates that all new passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds include a rear seat occupant alert system and requires research into updated headlamp safety standards.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and has been referred to multiple committees. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet been voted on or passed by Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research In Vehicle Evolution Act or the SELF DRIVE Act
This bill establishes the federal role in ensuring the safety of highly automated vehicles by encouraging the testing and deployment of such vehicles. A highly automated vehicle is a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, that is equipped with an automated driving system capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis.
The bill preempts states from enacting laws regarding the design, construction, or performance of highly automated vehicles or automated driving systems unless such laws enact standards identical to federal standards.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) must require safety assessment certifications for the development of a highly automated vehicle or an automated driving system.
Manufacturers of highly automated vehicles must develop written cybersecurity and privacy plans for such vehicles prior to offering them for sale.
The bill applies certain safety exemptions and testing standards to highly automated vehicles.
DOT must (1) inform prospective buyers of highly automated vehicles of the capabilities and limitations of such vehicles; (2) establish the Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Council to, among other things, develop guidance regarding mobility access for the disabled, elderly, and underserved populations; (3) require all new passenger motor vehicles less than 10,000 pounds to be equipped with a rear seat occupant alert system; and (4) research updated safety standards for motor vehicle headlamps.
Timeline
7 Jun 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3711 do?
- H.R. 3711, known as the SELF DRIVE Act, would establish federal guidelines for the safety of highly automated vehicles, which are cars capable of performing all driving tasks. The bill aims to encourage the development and testing of these vehicles. It would preempt states from creating their own laws regarding the design, construction, or performance of such vehicles, unless those laws are identical to federal standards. The Department of Transportation would be required to mandate safety assessment certifications for the development of highly automated vehicles and their systems. Manufacturers would also need to create cybersecurity and privacy plans before selling these vehicles. The bill also mandates that all new passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds include a rear seat occupant alert system and requires research into updated headlamp safety standards. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and has been referred to multiple committees. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet been voted on or passed by Congress.
- Has H.R. 3711 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3711. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3711?
- H.R. 3711 was sponsored by Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3711?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. (7 Jun 2021).
Related bills in Transportation and Public Works
SUN Act
Rural Disaster Fairness Act of 2026
Modern Skies Act
John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
More bills from Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
BEDROCK Act
Collaboration on Adversarial Threats and Security Risks Act
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for expedited approval of priority nonprescription drugs, and for other purposes.
STOP Nitazenes Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.