Key facts
- NHTSA will rewrite vehicle lighting standards to address headlight glare concerns.
- The agency plans to improve rules for LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources.
- NHTSA will evaluate headlamp height and aim for their impact on driver visibility.
- Proposed changes include caps on high-beam intensity (down to 50,000 candela from 75,000), color temperature limits (5,000 Kelvin), and mandatory auto-dimming features.
- NHTSA is considering requiring low beams to turn on automatically when the vehicle is running.
- New laser headlights will require dual-channel independent real-time glare suppression modules by Q2 2027.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that it will rewrite its vehicle lighting standards to address growing concerns about headlight glare and to allow for the integration of the latest safety-improving lighting technologies. The agency plans to update rules for LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources, while also evaluating headlamp height and aim to improve driver visibility.
Multiple sources within NHTSA indicate that the agency is considering caps on high-beam intensity, limits on color temperature to prevent harsh blue-white glare, and mandatory auto-dimming features for new vehicles. These potential changes aim to align US standards more closely with European and Asian regulations that have already reduced glare-related accidents. Data from a 2024 AAA survey shows that nearly 80% of US drivers find oncoming headlights too bright, and 60% report being temporarily blinded at least once a week. NHTSA crash data indicates that glare-related collisions have increased by 12% over the past five years.
Key proposals under consideration include dropping the high-beam intensity limit from 75,000 candela to 50,000 candela, similar to European standards. The agency is also looking at requiring low beams to turn on automatically whenever the vehicle is running and capping color temperature at 5,000 Kelvin to mitigate the harsh glare from LED and HID bulbs. For new laser headlights, a draft amendment released in June 2026 proposes mandatory dual-channel independent real-time glare suppression modules by Q2 2027.
Automakers have expressed cautious support, welcoming data-driven updates but warning about potential disruptions from aggressive timelines. Aftermarket bulb manufacturers are expected to oppose the color-temperature cap. NHTSA plans to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.