Road Transport

Wisconsin DNR Announces New ATV/UTV Safety Regulations And Training Requirements

In May 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced updated ATV/UTV safety requirements, including mandatory UTV seatbelts, tighter towing limits, window tint restrictions and higher penalties for intentional damage. Businesses and land managers that rely on ATVs and UTVs in Wisconsin should review rider training policies and equipment configurations now so their operations and customers comply with the strengthened rules before peak riding season.

18 May 2026, 15:08dnr.wisconsin.govUnited States

Netherlands Outlines 2030 Access Rules in Seventh Zero-Emission Zone Monitoring Letter

In May 2026 the Dutch State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management issued the seventh bi-monthly monitoring letter on zero-emission urban logistics zones, confirming very high compliance, extensive use of exemptions, and a stable roll-out across participating municipalities. The letter also sets out how access and exemption rules will evolve from 2030, extending some private-use derogations while phasing out others, which will shape fleet investment decisions and route planning for freight operators serving Dutch city centres.

18 May 2026, 13:27zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

China Publishes GB/T 47565-2026 — Agricultural Trailer And Tractor Mechanical Coupling Components

China has issued national recommended standard GB/T 47565-2026 on mechanical coupling components for agricultural trailers and tractors, with application from 1 November 2026. This will shape future design, testing and sourcing expectations for agricultural vehicles and coupling equipment placed on the Chinese market, so companies should plan alignment ahead of implementation.

16 May 2026, 14:54openstd.samr.gov.cnChina

California Assembly Appropriations Committee Approves AB 2788 Transportation Omnibus Bill

In May 2026, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced AB 2788, a transportation omnibus bill that would align state law more explicitly with federal hazardous materials regulations and update pilotage and automated traffic enforcement rules. If enacted, the bill would expand which carriers and shippers are clearly subject to federal hazardous materials standards under state law, increasing compliance and enforcement risk for road transport and port operations in California.

15 May 2026, 17:44leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

US EPA Proposes Two-Year Delay of Tier 4 Vehicle Criteria Pollutant Standards Until Model Year 2029

In May 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a Part 1 rule to delay implementation of its Tier 4 criteria pollutant standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles from model year 2027 to 2029, keeping existing Tier 3 controls in place for 2027–2028. If adopted, this would ease near-term emissions compliance pressure and capital spending for US vehicle manufacturers and importers, but firms should plan for a later Part 2 review that could further revise Tier 4 stringency, timing, and testing requirements.

15 May 2026, 15:26epa.govUnited States

Spain Submits Comments on EU Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation Proposal

Spain has submitted formal comments on the EU’s proposed Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation, backing the measure but pressing for stricter treatment of plug-in hybrids, zero-tailpipe-emission-only public support, and a 2032 phase-out of special targets for low-emission vehicles. This signals a push within Council to align fleet obligations and subsidy schemes more tightly with real-world CO2 performance, shaping how corporate fleets and vehicle manufacturers will need to plan decarbonisation and investment over the next decade.

15 May 2026, 12:14data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Maryland Exempts School Bus Driver's Seat From Upholstery Fire Block Test

Maryland has enacted SB968 (Chapter 524), effective 1 July 2026, to exempt the driver’s seat of a school bus from the state’s seat upholstery fire-block test requirement while retaining the standard for all passenger seats. This change alters design and procurement obligations for school bus manufacturers and school districts in Maryland, allowing more flexibility for driver seats but preserving stringent fire safety expectations for the rest of the bus interior.

14 May 2026, 18:57mgaleg.maryland.govUnited States

Colorado Senate Passes HB26-1286 Requiring Human Operator for Automated Commercial Vehicles

Colorado’s 2026 bill HB26-1286 has passed both chambers and would require a commercial driver to be physically present in automated driving system-operated commercial vehicles, with specified penalties and a time-limited trial to 2031. This creates significant operational and planning implications for fleets, logistics operators, and ADS technology providers using commercial vehicles in Colorado, who must prepare for human-in-the-loop requirements and a scheduled safety review before any longer-term framework is set.

14 May 2026, 12:36leg.colorado.govUnited States

European Parliament Draft Report on Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation

The European Parliament’s environment and transport committees have issued a draft report that toughens the proposed EU Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation, raising 2030 zero-emission fleet targets, tightening conditions on public financial support, and adding incentives for e-bikes and cargo bikes alongside electric cars and vans. If adopted, this position would push large corporate fleets across the EU towards faster electrification, reshape subsidy regimes in favour of EU-made zero-emission vehicles, and require Member States to develop detailed national plans and reporting systems ahead of 2030 and 2035 compliance milestones.

14 May 2026, 05:54europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

UNECE WP.29 Proposes Supplement 3 to UN Regulation No. 159 on Moving Off Information Systems

In May 2026 the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) circulated working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/126 (GE.26-05878 (E)), a proposal for Supplement 3 to UN Regulation No. 159 on Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS), for consideration by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) at its June 2026 session. The text, adopted by the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG), clarifies how MOIS requirements apply to vehicles of categories X and Y and to vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS): MOIS are only required when a driver is in control; vehicles without the ability to be controlled by a driver (category Y and category X without an on-board manual mode) are excluded; and category X vehicles with on-board manual operation not using a conventional driver’s seat may meet alternative requirements under a documented safety concept. If adopted and then implemented in national and regional type-approval schemes, these changes will influence the design and approval of heavy vehicles (M2, M3, N2, N3) with MOIS, especially where automated driving functions or unconventional driving arrangements are used.

California SB 1392: Senate Appropriations Sets 14 May Hearing on Collector Vehicle Smog-Check Exemptions

California’s SB 1392 (Jay Leno’s Law), which would broaden smog-check exemptions for certain older collector motor vehicles, is scheduled for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on 14 May 2026. If the bill advances, emissions-testing and automotive stakeholders may see reduced inspection obligations for a small historic-vehicle segment, signalling incremental loosening of state vehicle air pollution controls.

11 May 2026, 11:38leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

EU Council: Portugal Comments on Draft Weights and Dimensions Directive Reform

An advanced EU Council working document consolidates draft amendments to the Weights and Dimensions Directive, setting harmonised allowances and tighter enforcement frameworks for zero‑emission heavy‑duty vehicles, EMS combinations, abnormal-load permitting and digital weight monitoring. Portugal’s comments broadly back the compromise but flag concerns over longer articulated buses, implementation costs and timelines for an EU vehicle-length label, and the mechanics of crisis derogations, signalling points operators should track as the file moves toward political agreement.

11 May 2026, 11:17data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Consultation On Implementing Regulation For Real-World CO2 Data From Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The European Commission is consulting on a draft implementing regulation under the EU CO2 standards framework for heavy-duty vehicles that would require Member States to collect and report real-world CO2 and energy-consumption data from new trucks via periodic roadworthiness testing, with feedback due by 16 May 2026. If adopted, these rules from 2028 onward will significantly expand in-use emissions monitoring for heavy-duty fleets, increasing transparency on actual fuel performance and potentially shaping future tightening of CO2 targets and compliance expectations for manufacturers and operators.

10 May 2026, 19:05eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

UNECE WP.29 Proposes Supplement 5 To UN Regulation No. 151 On Blind Spot Information Systems

UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations has issued working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/124 proposing Supplement 5 to UN Regulation No. 151 on blind spot information systems, published in May 2026. If adopted, this supplement would amend type-approval requirements for factory-fitted blind spot information systems, so vehicle manufacturers and importers should track the proposal and plan for possible adjustments to system design, testing and approval strategies.

Delaware Senate Adopts Substitute SS 1 to SB 255 on Motor Vehicle Window Tint Limits

In May 2026 the Delaware Senate adopted Substitute Bill SS 1 to SB 255, revising a pending amendment to Title 21 of the Delaware Code on motor vehicle window tinting and sending the substitute to committee. If enacted, the bill would relax current front-side window tint limits but require a 50% visible light transmission threshold—tighter than the 35% originally proposed—shaping what tint levels aftermarket suppliers and vehicle owners can legally use in Delaware.

9 May 2026, 14:12legis.delaware.govUnited States

UN Regulation No. 170 on Child Restraint Systems for Buses and Coaches — Supplement 1 Enters Into Force

UN Regulation No. 170 on child restraint systems for buses and coaches has been consolidated up to Supplement 1, which entered into force on 11 January 2026 and is republished in Italy’s Official Gazette. This confirms binding design, testing, and conformity requirements for child restraint systems in markets applying the UNECE 1958 Agreement, meaning bus and restraint manufacturers must align new products and type-approvals with the updated UN R170 standard.

9 May 2026, 13:38gazzettaufficiale.itEuropean UnionUNECE

EU Council Four-Column Text on Amended CO2-Based Road Charging and Trailer Classes for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The Council has issued a four-column negotiation text to amend the EU road charging, vehicle registration and electronic tolling directives so that CO2 emission classes for heavy-duty vehicle–trailer combinations, and updated heavy-duty CO2 standards, are consistently reflected in toll setting, data exchange and registration rules over the 2026–2031 period. If adopted close to the current draft, this will require Member States, toll operators and hauliers to prepare for more granular CO2-based charging (including mandatory trailer efficiency from 2030), new data and reclassification obligations, and time-bound limits on toll reductions for zero- and low-emission vehicles, shaping long-term fleet and infrastructure investment decisions.

9 May 2026, 13:37eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US EPA Proposes Removing North Carolina Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program From Clean Air Act SIP

EPA has proposed approving North Carolina’s request to remove the vehicle inspection and maintenance programme for 19 counties from the federally enforceable Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan, with public comments due by 07 June 2026. If finalised, this would end SIP-based federal I/M requirements in those counties, reducing inspection obligations for fleets and motorists while relying on other NOx and ozone controls to maintain air quality and compliance for the region.

9 May 2026, 13:24public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Denmark Adds New Vehicle, Tyre and Bicycle Entries to Produkter.dk Defective Products Register

In early May 2026, Denmark’s official defective-products register Produkter.dk added new entries for multiple vehicles, tyres and bicycle products, including models from Peugeot, Ford, Renault Trucks, Can-Am, Nissan, Mazda, Goodyear, KTM and ORTLIEB. These listings indicate active market surveillance and potential recall or remedial obligations in Denmark, so manufacturers and distributors of the affected models should verify their exposure and ensure that local compliance and customer-notification actions are aligned with the register entries.

9 May 2026, 13:21produkter.dkDenmark

Pennsylvania Senate Amends Vehicle Emission Inspection And SIP Revision Bill (SB 1298 PN 1695)

In May 2026, the Pennsylvania Senate amended SB 1298 (PN 1695) to ease vehicle emission inspection requirements and require DEP to submit a revised State Implementation Plan removing counties from the enhanced inspection programme by 1 August 2026. If enacted, this would reduce I/M burdens for newer vehicles and many Pennsylvania counties while forcing DEP and regulated fleets to navigate Clean Air Act SIP changes that could reshape long‑term inspection obligations and air‑quality compliance strategies.

9 May 2026, 07:13legis.state.pa.usUnited States