PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 6, 2017
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.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] · R–OH
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6667-6671)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6667-6671)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3388.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6660-6667, H6677-6678)
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 212.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-294.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-294.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 54 - 0.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3388 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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