Quick Facts:
- Topic: Headlight glare and the rewrite of FMVSS 108, the federal lighting standard.
- Announced: Oct. 6, 2026, by NHTSA.
- Process: Negotiated rulemaking, the first for vehicle lighting in more than 25 years.
- Comment deadline: Nov. 9, 2026, in Docket NHTSA-2026-1981.
- Change to your truck today: None.
- Best for: Owners of trucks, SUVs and lifted rigs.
 5 min read
In This Article
Overview: Headlight Glare Gets a Federal Rewrite
Headlight glare is heading for a federal rewrite. On Oct. 6, 2026, NHTSA said it will update FMVSS 108, the standard for vehicle lighting. Complaints about glare from headlights have risen, Reuters reports. Specifically, the agency will review glare, headlamp height and aim, plus rules for LEDs and automatic high beams. Read the full text in NHTSA’s announcement.
Nothing changes on your truck today. Instead, NHTSA is starting a committee process, and it gave no date for new rules. The topics on the table touch your rig, especially with lifted truck headlights or aftermarket LED headlights.
Rules take time, but lens upkeep does not wait. If your plastic headlight lenses have yellowed, a restoration kit is a low-cost first step. The grid below lists the Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit, the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit and the 3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit.
Headlight lens restoration kits
Key Facts at a Glance
This table lists the dates, numbers and docket details from the announcement. Also, the agency is still taking nominations, so the committee roster is not final.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | Oct. 6, 2026 |
| Agency | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation |
| Standard | FMVSS No. 108, the federal vehicle lighting standard |
| Process | Negotiated rulemaking, the first for lighting in more than 25 years |
| Committee size | Up to 18 stakeholders |
| Comment and nomination deadline | Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Docket | NHTSA-2026-1981 at regulations.gov |
| Topics covered | Glare, headlamp height and aim, LEDs, automatic high beams, replaceable light sources, plastic optics |
| Timeline for new rules | Not announced |
What NHTSA Plans to Change: Headlight Glare and Four Other Areas
NHTSA named five focus areas for the new headlight rules. Together, they cover glare, light sources, aim, testing and global alignment.
- Glare: NHTSA will examine how modern headlighting technology affects other road users and make appropriate changes.
- Technology: The agency will improve rules for LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams and replaceable light sources.
- Performance: NHTSA will evaluate how headlamp height and aim affect driver visibility.
- Testing: NHTSA wants to streamline test procedures for plastic optics and replaceable lenses.
- Global standards: The agency plans to align U.S. lighting rules with international safety standards.
Administrator Jonathan Morrison framed the problem plainly. “Today’s standards do not allow automakers to deploy the latest safety-improving lighting technologies,” he said.
The method also matters. In a negotiated rulemaking, the agency convenes a balanced committee to negotiate and develop a proposed rule. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy will appoint up to 18 members. They will come from lighting makers, equipment associations, safety groups, research institutions and engineering associations. Since NHTSA is taking comments now, drivers who want a say should act before the Nov. 9 window closes.
Where Taller Trucks Fit in the Headlight Glare Debate
Reuters adds some lawmakers have urged a maximum brightness standard. Moreover, a growing number of taller trucks and SUVs on the road have drawn more complaints. LEDs now account for most headlights on new cars. Compared to halogen bulbs, they are much brighter.
The crash data tells a more balanced story, however. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study covered nighttime crashes in 11 states from 2015 to 2023. Specifically, it found glare was a factor in only one or two of every 1,000 crashes. Insufficient visibility contributes to far more crashes, and drivers older than 70 appear most affected by glare. Also, IIHS notes federal minimum and maximum brightness standards have not changed since 1997.
NHTSA pairs glare with visibility topics such as headlamp height and aim. As a result, both sides of the problem are on its list. Notably, lifted truck headlights sit higher than stock, so headlamp height is the item I would watch closely. A lift also changes height and aim on your own rig. Our guide to lamp height and beam geometry notes a lifted rig seats the driver high above low-mounted lamps.
What This Means for You
Start with the simple part. The announcement sets no new requirements. Therefore, your current headlights need no changes today.
If you run a lift or leveling kit, check your headlight aim. First, read the aim steps in your owner’s manual. Next, ask a shop to verify the result, since a lift changes where the beams point. For auxiliary lights, our off-road lighting setup guide suggests bumper-height mounting, around 24 to 36 inches. Bumper mounting cuts glare and dust scatter compared to roof mounts.
Load also changes your aim. Our guide to weighing your overland build notes airbags restore level stance and improve headlight aim. They also mask an overloaded axle, so weigh the rig first.
The announcement does not mention aftermarket LED headlights. Our light bar laws by state guide explains FMVSS 108 sets benchmarks for original equipment. Meanwhile, aftermarket auxiliary lights fall to SAE standards and state codes. However, NHTSA’s list includes replaceable light sources, so watch this topic.
NHTSA also lists plastic optics in its testing review. For instance, yellowed lenses on an older truck are a maintenance problem you control today, so restore them now.
After you restore a lens, seal it. Neither of these sprays removes existing haze, so restore first and protect second. The grid below lists Meguiar’s Keep Clear Headlight Coating and McKee’s 37 Headlight Protectant Spray.
Headlight lens protection
How to Comment Before Nov. 9
NHTSA is taking comments on the scope of the rulemaking and the balance of the committee. It is also accepting formal nominations for membership. First, go to regulations.gov and find Docket NHTSA-2026-1981. Then submit your comment or nomination by Nov. 9, 2026.
Tell NHTSA what you drive and what you see at night. For instance, describe your lift height, your headlight type and how oncoming traffic reacts. Moreover, comments about headlamp height and aim speak to a topic on the agency’s own list.
Final Thoughts
I like seeing headlamp height and aim on NHTSA’s list, because a truck owner influences both with a lift kit or a load. Therefore, those two items give truck owners a stake in this rewrite, and the comment window offers a direct way to speak up.
Here is the honest part. This process is early, and NHTSA gave no timeline. The IIHS data also shows glare is a small share of nighttime crashes. Expect slow progress, so do not count on the headlight rules or your own headlights changing soon.
Your best move takes three steps. Check your aim, restore yellowed lenses and file a comment by Nov. 9 if you have a view. Drive safely, and keep your beams low enough for every driver you meet.
FAQ
What is FMVSS 108?
It is the federal standard for vehicle lighting. Our light bar guide says it covers factory headlamps, tail lamps, turn signals and reflectors. On Oct. 6, 2026, NHTSA announced plans to rewrite it.
Are aftermarket LED headlights legal on a truck?
The announcement does not answer this question. NHTSA lists rules for LEDs and replaceable light sources as a focus, but it gave no detail. Until final rules arrive, check your state’s equipment law before you buy.
Does a lift kit make headlight glare worse?
NHTSA lists headlamp height and aim as a review topic. Reuters reports taller trucks and SUVs draw more glare complaints. Neither source singles out lift kits. Still, a lift changes where your beams point, so check the aim after the install.
How do I comment on the headlight rules rewrite?
First, go to regulations.gov and find Docket NHTSA-2026-1981. Then submit your comment or committee nomination by Nov. 9, 2026. NHTSA is taking input on the scope of the work and the balance of the committee.