The "She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act," or the She DRIVES Act , aims to significantly update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It directs the Secretary of Transportation to revise existing regulations, specifically parts 571 and 572 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to incorporate more advanced crash testing procedures. This initiative seeks to improve vehicle crashworthiness and ensure safety standards are equitable across different occupant demographics. For front impacts , the bill mandates the inclusion of specific Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) frontal impact testing devices: a 50th percentile adult male and a 5th percentile adult female. The Secretary must issue a final rule for the male dummy within 180 days and for the female dummy within 120 days of proposed rulemaking. These updates require establishing new injury criteria based on real-world data and conducting crashworthiness tests for adult female occupants in all designated front seating positions currently tested for adult males. Similarly, for side impacts , the legislation requires the integration of 50th percentile adult male and 5th percentile adult female Worldwide Harmonized Side Impact Dummies within 30 months of enactment. This involves a proposed rulemaking within two years, followed by a final rule. The Secretary must establish or update injury criteria for these devices and conduct front seat crashworthiness side impact tests for adult female occupants in all positions currently tested for adult males. The bill also mandates concurrent updates to the New Car Assessment Program to reflect these new testing devices, provided it doesn't delay the safety standard rules. Furthermore, it requires an initial "Testing Devices Roadmap" report within one year, identifying timelines for incorporating other advanced testing devices, comparing U.S. devices with more advanced international ones, and outlining a process for future updates. A follow-up report five years later will assess progress and identify new international advancements in testing devices.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-56.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-56.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.
Transportation and Public Works
AccidentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDepartment of TransportationMotor vehiclesTransportation safety and security
She DRIVES Act
USA119th CongressS-161| Senate
| Updated: 7/31/2025
The "She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act," or the She DRIVES Act , aims to significantly update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It directs the Secretary of Transportation to revise existing regulations, specifically parts 571 and 572 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to incorporate more advanced crash testing procedures. This initiative seeks to improve vehicle crashworthiness and ensure safety standards are equitable across different occupant demographics. For front impacts , the bill mandates the inclusion of specific Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) frontal impact testing devices: a 50th percentile adult male and a 5th percentile adult female. The Secretary must issue a final rule for the male dummy within 180 days and for the female dummy within 120 days of proposed rulemaking. These updates require establishing new injury criteria based on real-world data and conducting crashworthiness tests for adult female occupants in all designated front seating positions currently tested for adult males. Similarly, for side impacts , the legislation requires the integration of 50th percentile adult male and 5th percentile adult female Worldwide Harmonized Side Impact Dummies within 30 months of enactment. This involves a proposed rulemaking within two years, followed by a final rule. The Secretary must establish or update injury criteria for these devices and conduct front seat crashworthiness side impact tests for adult female occupants in all positions currently tested for adult males. The bill also mandates concurrent updates to the New Car Assessment Program to reflect these new testing devices, provided it doesn't delay the safety standard rules. Furthermore, it requires an initial "Testing Devices Roadmap" report within one year, identifying timelines for incorporating other advanced testing devices, comparing U.S. devices with more advanced international ones, and outlining a process for future updates. A follow-up report five years later will assess progress and identify new international advancements in testing devices.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-56.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-56.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141.
AccidentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDepartment of TransportationMotor vehiclesTransportation safety and security