DOT Banned From Buying Foreign-Sourced LiDAR Tech Starting June 2026: What It Means for Smart Roads

This bill, the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act of 2025, sets up a serious firewall around the Department of Transportation's (DOT) tech purchases. Simply put, it bans the DOT from buying, getting, or contracting for specific LiDAR technology if it comes from foreign companies or countries identified as security risks. This restriction kicks in generally on June 30, 2026.

The Security Firewall for Smart Infrastructure

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is essentially the eyes of autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure. It’s what creates those detailed 3D maps used for everything from self-driving cars to monitoring bridge stability. This bill says the DOT cannot use any LiDAR tech that originates from a “covered foreign country” or a “covered LiDAR company.” If you’re wondering exactly which countries or companies are on the list, the bill doesn't spell them out directly. Instead, it points to definitions established in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. This means the list of banned suppliers is dynamic and linked to defense policy, not transportation policy alone.

For any company looking to land a contract with the DOT—say, installing smart traffic sensors or mapping new highways—there’s a new hurdle. The bill requires contractors to provide a written certification promising that they won't use this restricted foreign LiDAR tech while performing the contract. This adds a layer of compliance and cost for companies, especially those who might currently rely on cheaper, foreign-made components for their systems. While this move aims to boost national security by securing critical data pathways, it also means DOT procurement teams and contractors will have new compliance paperwork to manage, potentially slowing down the process.

Waivers and Exceptions: The Fine Print

Congress knows that sometimes, you might need the best tool for the job, even if it's on the restricted list. The bill includes a narrow escape hatch: the Secretary of Transportation can waive the ban. However, it’s not easy. The Secretary must formally certify to Congress—15 days in advance—that using the restricted technology is absolutely necessary and in the “national interest of the United States.” That phrase, “national interest,” is pretty broad, which gives the Secretary a lot of discretion. While this ensures flexibility, it also means the effectiveness of the ban relies heavily on how strictly the Secretary interprets and uses this waiver power.

Crucially, the ban doesn't apply to everything. If the DOT is doing work strictly related to vehicle safety—like testing new autonomous vehicle features, running research projects, or evaluating applications for exemptions from Federal motor vehicle safety standards—the restricted LiDAR can still be used. This is a practical carve-out ensuring that necessary safety research and regulatory oversight aren't immediately crippled by the supply chain security restrictions. For engineers and researchers, this exemption is key; it means the testing labs can keep running without immediate disruption, even as the procurement side of the agency shifts its sourcing.