Military Bases to Ban Foreign-Controlled 'Connected Vehicles' Starting 2028: DoD Must Publish List by 2027

If you drive onto a military base for work or to visit family, you need to pay attention to the Protecting Military Bases from Connected Vehicles of Concern Act of 2025. This bill sets the stage for a major change in who gets to drive what onto Department of Defense (DoD) property.

The Security Firewall for Your Car

Starting January 1, 2028, the DoD will ban certain "connected vehicles" from operating on any military base or property. The concern here isn't about the car itself, but the data it transmits and who controls the manufacturer. Specifically, the ban targets vehicles designed, manufactured, or supplied by companies that are owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction of a "foreign entity of concern." Why the ban? Because these vehicles are deemed to present an "undue risk of sabotage or disruption" to U.S. information technology, critical infrastructure, or national security. Think of it as closing a potential digital back door on sensitive military installations.

Who Makes the Banned List?

This is where the rubber meets the road. The Secretary of Defense has until January 1, 2027, to create and publish the official list of these banned vehicles. When making this list, the Secretary has to consult with other federal agencies and use existing federal rules for identifying prohibited connected vehicles. The criteria are broad: if the vehicle’s origin poses an "unacceptable risk" to U.S. national security or the safety of Americans, it’s going on the list. The Secretary must review and update this list annually, providing a clear explanation if any vehicles are removed.

The Real-World Friction for Base Access

For military service members, civilian contractors, and base employees—many of whom are in our target 25-45 age group—this bill creates a potential headache. If your daily driver is a connected vehicle from a brand that lands on the prohibited list, you simply won't be allowed to drive it onto the installation after the deadline. This could force thousands of people to choose between buying a new vehicle, finding alternative transportation (like a shuttle or a non-connected secondary car), or parking off-base and walking or biking in. The bill doesn't specify any grace period or compensation for those who own newly banned vehicles.

Implementation: A Massive Logistical Lift

Before the list even goes public, the DoD has a lot of homework. By June 1, 2027, the Secretary must brief Congress on a detailed implementation plan. This plan has to figure out everything from who in the DoD is in charge of enforcement to the exact procedures bases will use to identify and turn away prohibited vehicles at the gate. How will base security know if your vehicle is on the list? Will they rely on VIN checks, manufacturer logos, or a simple visual inspection? The success of this policy hinges entirely on the DoD’s ability to clearly communicate the list and efficiently enforce the ban without creating massive traffic jams or security bottlenecks at every entry point.

The Power of Discretion

While the goal of protecting national security is clear, the bill grants the Secretary of Defense significant power. The decision to ban a vehicle rests on subjective terms like "undue risk" and "unacceptable risk." Because the criteria are so broad, the Secretary has considerable discretion in determining which foreign manufacturers—and by extension, which vehicles—end up on the prohibited list. This concentration of authority, while necessary for national security decisions, means that the fate of certain vehicle brands and the daily commutes of thousands of people rest on the internal risk assessment of the DoD.