Trump’s Transportation Department Announces Tesla Model Y Is the First Vehicle to Pass NHTSA’s New ‘Advanced Driver Assistance System’ TestsPass/fail evaluations will keep[...]

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that the later release 2026 Tesla Model Y is the first vehicle model to pass the agency's new benchmark for vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These pass/fail tests - which have recently been added to NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) - ensures consumers have the information they need to assess the safety benefits of new technologies.

By including ADAS in these new tests, the agency is also encouraging automakers to prioritize innovations that keep families safe on the roads.

"Today's announcement marks a significant step forward in our efforts to provide consumers with the most comprehensive safety ratings ever," said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. "By successfully passing these new tests, the 2026 Tesla Model Y demonstrates the lifesaving potential of driver assistance technologies and sets a high bar for the industry. We hope to see many more manufacturers develop vehicles that can meet these requirements."

2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles, manufactured on or after Nov. 12, 2025, successfully met the rigorous criteria for four newly integrated advanced safety tests:

• Pedestrian automatic emergency braking
• Lane keeping assistance
• Blind spot warning, and
• Blind spot intervention

Additional Information:

ADAS is designed to assist drivers who must remain fully attentive and in control of their vehicle. The updated NCAP program introduced enhanced evaluations for existing safety technologies and added four new ADAS performance evaluations to better protect those both inside and outside the vehicle.

The Model Y also passed the agency's four original ADAS criteria: forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, dynamic brake support, and lane departure warning.

Under Secretary Duffy, NHTSA is empowering automakers to invest in technology advancements that will make cars safer and more affordable for American families. Expanding the ADAS testing scope is a part of NHTSA's NCAP's 10-year roadmap, with additional improvements currently being considered.

For more information on NHTSA's crash avoidance assessments and to view safety ratings for various makes and models, please visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.