Trucking Laws · Nationwide · October 30, 2026

NHTSA Plans First Major Overhaul of Tire Safety Standards in More Than 20 Years, With a Committee That Could Matter for Truckers

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The federal government is starting a rewrite of the rules that tires must meet, and truckers who run on radials may notice a few of the proposed changes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Oct. 26 that it wants to modernize tire safety standards through a negotiated rulemaking process, Transport Topics reported on Oct. 29. According to the announcement, it would be the first major overhaul of tire safety standards in more than 20 years.

What NHTSA plans to look at

The agency said it would update outdated testing methods on tire strength, rim resistance and endurance, and examine how to set safety rules for new technologies such as puncture-proof tires. A notice of proposed rulemaking published Oct. 27 said committee discussions on tire testing would focus on "the continued necessity and effectiveness of the tire strength test (plunger energy), the bead unseating resistance test and the tire endurance test (chunking)." The committee would also evaluate non-pneumatic tires and the modernization of tire markings.

Who will be on the committee

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will appoint 18 experts and stakeholders to advise him on crafting the standards. A tentative list includes people representing tire manufacturers or retailers, vehicle manufacturing associations, national vehicle manufacturers, safety organizations, educational groups, research or testing organizations, and engineering or standard setting associations. Members would serve "a single term of two years or until the completion of committee activities, whichever is sooner."

Why truckers could care

Robert Braswell, executive director of the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council, said possibly removing the bead unseat and plunger energy tests may be the most relevant item to commercial trucking. He said the tests were developed many decades ago, when bias tires were popular. "Some of these tests are really kind of a legacy. They're vestigial, and they're not really necessary with respect to how a radial tire is constructed," Braswell said.

Non-pneumatic tires

Kevin Grove, ATA's director of safety and technology policy, said he has not seen non-pneumatic tires, which do not use air, used on commercial trucks, though he has seen forklifts use them. He said much more data on their performance and reliability would be needed before trucking considered them.

Do not expect quick changes

Braswell and Grove said it is too early to know how the updated standards will affect trucking specifically, but that they will likely simplify the standards and make them more relevant to modern vehicles. The process is not expected to be swift and can take years, Transport Topics reported. Braswell said there is a good chance trucking will be represented on the committee through standard-setting associations and major tire manufacturers.

Quick facts

• Announced: Oct. 26, 2026, by NHTSA. Notice of proposed rulemaking published Oct. 27.
• Committee: 18 members appointed by the Transportation Secretary, serving up to two years.
• Topics: tire strength, bead unseating and endurance tests, non-pneumatic tires and tire markings.
• Timeline: it can take years.

Big Rig Daily has also covered a Washington requirement that trucks carry tire chains starting Nov. 1 and the pre-trip inspection checklist.

A question for readers

Which tire problem do you run into most often on the road?

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