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02/25/2025

Regulations & Certification Requirements for Drive-by-Wire Systems

A padlock made of data in blue.

1. Why Regulatory Approval is the Biggest Challenge for Drive-by-Wire

Technologically, Drive-by-Wire is ready for mass adoption—but before a vehicle with fully electronic steering can be allowed on public roads, it must comply with strict legal and safety requirements. Since Drive-by-Wire does not include a mechanical fallback, regulators place extreme emphasis on reliability and fail-operational capabilities.

What standards must Drive-by-Wire manufacturers meet to obtain road approval?

In this blog, we examine the key US and European regulations, highlight the biggest challenges in certification, and look at the future of Drive-by-Wire legislation.

2. Key Standards & Safety Requirements in the US & Europe

Drive-by-Wire is classified as a safety-critical system, meaning it must comply with stringent functional safety (ISO 26262), cybersecurity (ISO 21434), and vehicle certification regulations (UNECE, FMVSS, NHTSA).

Why Are Regulations So Important?

  • No Mechanical Backup – Electronic systems must provide equal or greater safety than traditional steering.
  • Cybersecurity is Essential – Autonomous vehicles must be protected against cyberattacks.
  • Diverse International Standards – The US, Europe, and Asia have different regulatory requirements.

3. Regulatory Requirements in the United States

FMVSS 126 – Electronic Stability Control

FMVSS 126 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) mandates that all vehicles must have an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. Drive-by-Wire systems must demonstrate that they provide the same—or better—stability and vehicle safety as mechanical steering systems.

SAE J3016 – Classification of Autonomous Vehicles

SAE J3016 defines the Levels 0–5 of vehicle automation. For Level 5 (fully autonomous vehicles without a steering wheel), Drive-by-Wire must ensure all steering functions are redundantly secured without human intervention.

NHTSA Safety Guidelines – Functional Safety & Cybersecurity

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires manufacturers to submit comprehensive safety validation reports, including:

  • Functional safety testing (Failure Mode Analysis)
  • Cybersecurity assessments according to SAE J3061
  • Test protocols for handling system failures

Without a complete safety validation, Drive-by-Wire cannot be approved for road use in the US.

4. Regulatory Requirements in Europe

ISO 26262 (ASIL-D) – Functional Safety

In Europe, ISO 26262 is the central standard for automotive safety. Steer-by-Wire must achieve the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL-D), as a failure in steering control could have catastrophic consequences.

UNECE R79 – Steering System Regulations

The UNECE Regulation 79 (Steering Equipment) mandates that:
Any steering system with electronic force transmission must have a backup safety mechanism.
The driver must always be able to regain control (up to Level 4 autonomy).

Redundant control systems must be in place to guarantee safe operation.

UNECE R156 – Safety for Software Updates

Drive-by-Wire requires frequent software updates. UNECE R156 mandates that manufacturers must:

  • Document every software change
  • Implement cybersecurity protections
  • Ensure over-the-air (OTA) updates meet strict validation procedures

Without compliance with these regulations, a Drive-by-Wire system cannot be legally certified in the EU.

5. Challenges & the Future of Drive-by-Wire Regulations

Drive-by-Wire regulations are still evolving, creating several challenges for manufacturers:

  • Different national regulations – While the EU permits Drive-by-Wire under UNECE rules, the US has stricter highway safety requirements.
  • Demonstrating system safety – Manufacturers must conduct extensive testing to prove that electronic steering meets or exceeds the safety of mechanical steering.
  • Cybersecurity & Over-the-Air Updates – Regulators require that Drive-by-Wire systems be protected against hacking and that software updates do not introduce new safety risks.

However, with each new regulatory update, Drive-by-Wire moves closer to widespread adoption. Both the EU and US are working to establish clear guidelines for the future of autonomous vehicles.

6. Conclusion & Preview of Blog 5 (The Future of Drive-by-Wire)

The certification of Drive-by-Wire systems is the final major step before mass adoption. Manufacturers must prove that electronic steering is at least as safe as traditional mechanical systems—and modern fail-operational architectures make this possible.

But what comes next? In Blog 5, we explore how Drive-by-Wire will shape the next generation of mobility, from robotaxis to fully autonomous vehicle fleets.