The Know Before You Drive Act mandates clear consumer education, labeling, and disclosure requirements for manufacturers and dealers regarding the actual capabilities and limitations of partially automated driving systems in vehicles.
Kim Schrier
Representative
WA-8
The Know Before You Drive Act aims to prevent consumer confusion regarding automated driving technology by prohibiting misleading claims about partially automated systems. This legislation mandates clear, conspicuous notices detailing system capabilities and limitations for new vehicle purchasers and owners receiving software updates. Furthermore, it requires standardized new vehicle labeling to clearly outline what tasks the driver must still perform. Enforcement authority is granted to NHTSA, the FTC, and state attorneys general.
New 'Know Before You Drive' Act Mandates Clear Labels and Truthful Tech Claims for Semi-Autonomous Cars
If you’ve ever felt like you needed a PhD in computer science just to understand what your car’s 'Autopilot' or 'ProPilot' actually does, this bill is for you. The 'Know Before You Drive Act' aims to end the era of confusing marketing and fine-print surprises regarding partially automated driving systems. Starting 180 days after it hits the books, car companies are legally banned from making claims that would trick a reasonable person into thinking a car can drive itself when it actually can't. It’s a direct move to ensure that if a system requires you to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the manufacturer can't hint otherwise in their commercials.
The New Window Sticker Reality
Buying a car is already a marathon of paperwork, but this bill adds a much-needed 'cheat sheet' to the process. Within two years, every new car equipped with automated features must sport a clear label—similar to the fuel economy stickers we all know—detailing exactly what the tech can and cannot do. Under the 'New Vehicle Labeling Requirements,' manufacturers must disclose if a system only works on certain roads, during specific times of day, or in clear weather. Most importantly for your wallet, they have to tell you upfront if that fancy lane-keep assist comes with a hidden annual subscription fee or service cost. For a commuter trying to budget for a new SUV, this means no more 'surprise' $200 invoices a year later just to keep your cruise control working.
Software Updates and the Fine Print
We’ve all clicked 'Agree' on a phone update without reading it, but when your car’s driving behavior changes overnight, the stakes are higher. This legislation requires manufacturers to provide a 'clear and conspicuous notice' whenever an over-the-air software update materially changes how the driving system performs. If an update tweak means the car now handles curves differently or requires faster driver intervention, they have to tell you plainly. This puts the responsibility on the manufacturer to keep the driver in the loop, rather than burying life-altering changes in a 50-page digital terms-of-service agreement.
Accountability and Real-World Backup
To make sure these aren't just empty suggestions, the bill gives the heavy hitters—NHTSA and the FTC—full authority to crack down on violators. Treating a misleading 'self-driving' claim as an 'unfair or deceptive act' means the government can levy serious fines. It also empowers state attorneys general to sue on behalf of their residents. While car dealers are off the hook if the manufacturer fails to send the notice, they are responsible for making sure that notice actually reaches you before you drive off the lot. For the average driver, this creates a safety net of transparency, ensuring that when you’re merging onto a highway at 65 mph, you know exactly where the car’s help ends and your responsibility begins.