Bumper swaps, lift and leveling kits, new wheels and new bodies are everyday work on trucks. Each of those changes can move the cameras and radar that driver assistance systems depend on. NHTSA is now taking a closer look. The agency will hold a public workshop on December 10, 2026 on how aftermarket modifications affect advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), according to its Federal Register notice published October 29, 2026.
Key dates and details
- Workshop: December 10, 2026, in person at the West Atrium of DOT Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
- Registration: free but required, and it closes December 3, 2026
- Live stream: none, but NHTSA says it will post a recording on its website after the event
- Comments: docket NHTSA-2026-1882 at regulations.gov; the notice lists April 19, 2027 as the comment deadline
- Agenda and updates: on the NHTSA event page
What NHTSA is looking at
The notice says modifications such as changes to ride height, bumper geometry, body panels or wheel offset can alter ADAS sensor calibration. As TruckReport summarized, the agency says poorly calibrated systems are likely to have reduced performance in detecting the crash situations they were designed for, and can also cause false activations. The workshop will bring together industry, technical experts and policymakers to discuss engineering parameters for modified vehicles, real-world conditions in shops and on the road, data frameworks, and ways to keep ADAS working while still allowing owners to modify their vehicles.
Nothing in the rules changes today. But it is a clear signal that calibration after a modification is getting regulator attention.
Why it matters for fleets and upfitters
Work trucks get modified more than almost any other vehicle. A plow mount, a new front bumper, a service body or a ride height change can all affect where a forward camera or radar is aimed. Our post on ADAS in heavy trucks and why calibration cannot be optional explains how collision mitigation depends on that aim.
- Scan for ADAS faults after any bumper, suspension, wheel, tire or body change
- Check the OEM service information for when a camera or radar calibration is required
- Keep records of the modification and the calibration result
- Make sure the calibration area meets the OEM requirements. See our guide to ADAS calibration facility requirements
Bringing calibration in-house with TEXA RCCS3
The TEXA RCCS3 EVO is TEXA’s radar and camera calibration system, and TEXA CCS 2 Truck ADAS covers heavy trucks. Working with TEXA IDC6 software, they let a shop or fleet run the static calibrations the OEM procedure calls for after a modification, instead of sending the truck out. Coverage depends on make, model, year and system, so check your vehicles before you buy. To see whether in-house calibration pays off, read what ADAS calibration really costs, and ask about free ADAS training with every RCCS3.
Support from Defy Diagnostics
We help with setup and activation of TEXA ADAS equipment, and active TEXA users get remote support from Dave, 9 to 5 ET, covering tool hardware and software. TEXA tools from Defy carry a 1-year warranty. Call 864-803-3744 or email Dave@DefyDiagnostics.com for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
When is the NHTSA aftermarket modifications ADAS workshop?
December 10, 2026, in person at DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC. Registration is free but required and closes December 3, 2026.
Will the NHTSA ADAS workshop be streamed?
No. NHTSA says it will not be live streamed, but a recording will be posted on the NHTSA website afterward.
Which modifications can affect ADAS calibration?
NHTSA lists changes to ride height, bumper geometry, body panels and wheel offset as examples that can alter ADAS sensor calibration.
How can I comment?
Comments go to docket NHTSA-2026-1882 at regulations.gov. For the comment deadline, the notice lists April 19, 2027.
Can my shop calibrate trucks after modifications?
With a calibration system such as TEXA RCCS3 and IDC6 software, a shop can run OEM static calibrations on covered vehicles. Check coverage for your makes and models and follow the OEM procedure.
