NHTSA starts the first big rewrite of tire safety rules in 20 years

What NHTSA wants to change

On October 26, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is starting the first major update of the federal tire safety standards in more than 20 years. The agency named two areas of work:

• Older tests. Updating test methods for tire strength, rim resistance and endurance so they match today’s roads and tire technology.
• Newer tires. Setting safety rules for new designs such as airless tires, updating the markings on the sidewall, and reviewing weight limit guidelines for trucks and SUVs.

NHTSA says the goal is to keep its rules in step with how tires and vehicles have changed, improve safety and lower costs.

How the new rules will be written

NHTSA will use negotiated rulemaking, which means a committee works out the draft before the formal proposal. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy will appoint up to 18 members from tire makers, automakers, safety groups, research institutions and engineering associations.

“As American tire technology and vehicle design continue to evolve, our regulatory framework must keep pace,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.

How to have your say

NHTSA is asking for comments on the scope of the work and the balance of the committee, and for nominations to join it. Comments and applications are due within 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. Comments go to regulations.gov under Docket No. NHTSA-2026-1717. Applications to join the committee go to [email protected].

What it means for your car today

Nothing changes on the road yet: a negotiated rule takes time before it becomes a final standard. Tires still matter now. NHTSA says 511 people died in tire-related crashes in 2024. Its own advice for drivers:

• Check the pressure once a month, spare included, when the tires are cold (the car has not been driven for at least three hours).
• Use the pressure on the label on the driver’s door edge or doorjamb, or in the owner’s manual, not the number printed on the tire.
• Replace tires at 2/32 of an inch of tread. With the penny test, if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it is time.
• Watch the age. Some manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, whatever the tread. The last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall give the week and year the tire was made.
• Don’t rely on the warning light alone. The tire pressure monitoring system only warns when a tire is significantly underinflated, so it does not replace the monthly check.

NHTSA also says properly inflated tires can save as much as 11 cents a gallon on fuel and can add about 4,700 miles to a tire’s average life.