_Incident · Regulatory action_

# NHTSA issues first-ever demonstration exemption to Zoox under expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program

Canonical ID: `9a36b95a-f80f-4ad5-941b-c46d9b95404d`

- **Occurred:** 2025-08-06
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Zoox](/companies/zoox.md) (id: `6ab92a95-6f4e-4493-a771-ae645c7969c6`)

On August 6, 2025, NHTSA issued an exemption for [Zoox](/companies/zoox.md) driverless vehicles under its newly expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP), the first-ever for American-built vehicles. All purpose-built vehicles manufactured by Zoox and operating on US roads are now covered by this exemption. NHTSA concurrently closed its investigation into Zoox's self-certification of its purpose-built AVs.

## Sources (1)

1. **NHTSA** · https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-issues-first-ever-demonstration-exemption-american-built-automated-vehicles · 2025-08-06

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-07-23 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in NHTSA issues first-ever demonstration exemption to Zoox under expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program?

On August 6, 2025, NHTSA issued an exemption for Zoox driverless vehicles under its newly expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP), the first-ever for American-built vehicles. All purpose-built vehicles manufactured by Zoox and operating on US roads are now covered by this exemption. NHTSA concurrently closed its investigation into Zoox's self-certification of its purpose-built AVs.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on August 6, 2025 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in NHTSA issues first-ever demonstration exemption to Zoox under expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program?

The incident is recorded as involving Zoox on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to NHTSA issues first-ever demonstration exemption to Zoox under expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of NHTSA issues first-ever demonstration exemption to Zoox under expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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