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Washington D.C., August 3, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) today released a draft notification proposing an amendment to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to introduce a phased framework for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems. The initiative aims to dramatically improve road safety by enabling cars, trucks, and motorcycles to exchange real-time data — including speed, position, direction, and acceleration — directly with one another.
“V2V communication can warn drivers or vehicle systems in safety-critical situations, such as sudden braking, forward-collision risk, unsafe lane changes, and the approach of emergency vehicles,” a USDOT spokesperson stated. Unlike conventional safety technologies that rely solely on onboard sensors and driver reaction, V2V offers information beyond the driver’s line of sight, complementing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and supporting proactive accident prevention.
The draft framework assigns the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz spectrum band for V2V and other Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), through a recent directive (FCC 25-46, June 2025), exempted this frequency band from individual licensing requirements, clearing the way for widespread deployment. The band has been a focal point of debate over the past decade, with the FCC reallocating portions of the 5.9 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi and unlicensed use in 2020, but preserving the lower 30 MHz for transportation safety.
Under the proposal, a phased compliance timeline applies to vehicles in categories L (motorcycles, scooters), M (passenger cars, vans, buses), and N (trucks). “Vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2027, must comply with the newly adopted SAE J2945/1 standard — which is functionally equivalent to the Indian AIS-230 standard — if they are equipped with V2V communication systems,” the document states. “By October 1, 2028, all vehicles in these categories must be fitted with V2V communication systems conforming to SAE J2945/1.”
The phased approach provides automakers, tier-one suppliers, and aftermarket manufacturers with sufficient lead time to integrate the technology. The standard covers factory-installed On-Board Units (OBUs) using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.875–5.925 GHz band. Key requirements include radio performance, frequency stability, output power, receiver sensitivity, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning, electrical specifications, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity provisions, and road-safety application performance. Safety use cases mandated include Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-Way Driving Warning, Emergency Vehicle Alert, and Intersection Movement Assist.
The USDOT’s proposed rule builds on years of research and field trials. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously conducted a large-scale V2V pilot program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, demonstrating a 70-80% reduction in certain crash types. More recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) and the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partners (CAMP) consortium have been testing cross-vendor interoperability of C-V2X devices.
However, industry experts note that the United States has lagged behind other regions — particularly Europe and China — in mandating V2V technology. The proposed rule represents a significant shift after years of regulatory uncertainty. “The framework is expected to improve vehicle situational awareness, facilitate timely safety warnings, and strengthen the use of connected technologies for reducing road-accident risks,” the USDOT added. “Interested parties may submit comments within 30 days of the draft’s publication in the Federal Register, after which the final rule will be issued.”
The dedicated Task Force on Vehicle Safety, established by the Secretary of Transportation in 2023, recommended the use of the 5.9 GHz ITS/V2X frequency range for road safety. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) have also endorsed the move. The technical standard SAE J2945/1 was finalized in early 2025, providing the regulatory foundation.
The draft notification has drawn mixed reactions from automakers and tech companies. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) praised the timeline but urged the government to accelerate deployment of roadside infrastructure to maximize V2V benefits. “V2V works best when combined with vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication,” said an AAI representative. “We urge USDOT and state DOTs to fund a national deployment plan for roadside units.”
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups, including the Center for Auto Safety, welcomed the proposal but called for a shorter timeline. “Every year without V2V means thousands of preventable deaths,” said a spokesperson. “We urge NHTSA to consider a 2026 start date for light-duty vehicles.”
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