TOMORROW'S TECHNICIAN: Bipartisan Bill Directs NHTSA to Set ADAS Guidelines

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) welcomed the introduction of the ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act (H.B. 6688) in the U.S. House, led by Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., with co-sponsors Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif. The bill would require federal guidelines that support proper calibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) when vehicles are modified.

SEMA worked with lawmakers from both parties on the measure, which is aimed at ensuring aftermarket businesses have access to the information needed to calibrate ADAS following common modifications such as bike rack installation, vehicle wraps, larger wheels and tires, winches or aftermarket bumpers.

Regulatory Update

The ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish ADAS guidelines for new vehicles beginning with model year 2028. The guidelines would define modification ranges and tolerances to help preserve system functionality after vehicle changes.

The bill also requires NHTSA to set ADAS test procedures so aftermarket businesses can test and validate that systems are properly calibrated. The timing aligns with NHTSA's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 127, which will require automatic emergency braking on all new passenger cars and light trucks beginning with model year 2029.

"SEMA thanks Rep. Harshbarger for her leadership and Reps. Vasquez, Obernolte, and Torres for their strong support for ensuring vehicles with ADAS can be modified without compromising the integrity of these important safety systems. The introduction of the ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act is a landmark moment for anyone who owns, repairs or modifies a vehicle," said Jim Moore, SEMA vice president of OEM and product development. "Americans deserve confidence that those critical systems will work as intended for the entire life of their vehicle, even after repairs or customization. Currently, the industry lacks clear standards governing ADAS calibration, and aftermarket businesses and vehicle owners need access to the necessary calibration information and procedures needed to keep modern safety features functioning. This bill marks a critical step forward in the name of vehicle safety and is a major step forward in protecting the American people's right to modify the vehicles they own."

Market Impact for Aftermarket Manufacturers and Distributors

SEMA's research indicates that more than 50 million cars and trucks in the U.S. are modified or accessorized each year. That scale underscores the need for ADAS standards that account for real-world modifications across the repair, collision, and customization segments.

As ADAS becomes standard on all new vehicles, clearer calibration procedures and tolerances would help manufacturers, suppliers, and installers reduce rework, streamline service throughput, and improve compliance across aftermarket distribution networks.

Product Development and Testing Resources

SEMA said it has invested more than $25 million in SEMA Garage facilities in Diamond Bar, Calif., and Plymouth, Mich., to support product development around evolving vehicle technology. The facilities provide access to OEM data, advanced tools, and dedicated ADAS labs for testing how modifications affect sensors and system performance.

The SEMA Garage recently hosted more than 70 professionals from the customization, collision and repair industries for a symposium focused on ADAS calibration challenges, outlining a roadmap to help ensure safe and reliable functionality. SEMA has also released a series of white papers analyzing how modifications affect ADAS performance on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ford Bronco, Toyota Tacoma and Ram 1500, including the impact of lift kits, wheels and suspension components on sensor reliability.

Timeline and Compliance Considerations

• If enacted, NHTSA would develop ADAS guidelines for model year 2028 vehicles, including modification ranges and tolerances.
• Automatic emergency braking becomes mandatory beginning in model year 2029 under FMVSS 127, increasing the urgency for standardized calibration procedures.
• Clear test procedures would provide the aftermarket with a consistent framework to validate calibrations, supporting product launches and installation practices across manufacturing and distribution channels.