Page 10 - TrailerTalk - February 2026

TRAILERTALK
Right to Repair Legislation Could Impact

Trailer Industry

title includes only the word “Auto,” the legislation nonetheless applies
to the trucking industry as well.

Closer to home, the legislation also covers “trailers” (which are included
under the definition of “motor vehicle”). The legislation pits the OEMs
and dealers versus the national repair chains, parts manufacturers, as
well as suppliers and consumer groups.

According to CDK Heavy Truck, “The Right to Repair act (e.g., REPAIR
Act) could significantly impact semi-trailer dealers by taking away their
access as the sole provider of specialized repairs, forcing them to share
diagnostic data, tools, and software with independent shops. While this
increases competition and potentially lowers repair prices for fleets, it
Over the past five to seven years, Congress has considered legislation may also reduce service revenue for authorized dealers. Dealers may
that would prohibit vehicle manufacturers — automobile and truck need to adapt to a landscape where aftermarket shops can access the
alike — from employing technology or legal barriers to prevent motor electronic control units (ECU) and advanced driver assistance systems
vehicle owners from accessing vehicle-generated data. (ADAS) of newer trailers.”

Dubbed “Right to Repair,” the legislation aims to guarantee vehicle Recently, a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce
owners the ability to have their vehicles serviced and repaired by Committee reviewed the legislation and voted to move it up to the full
their choice of vendor, be that the dealership, vehicle repair chains, Committee for further consideration. If the full Energy and Commerce
or their local repair shop. With the increased electronic sophistication Committee approves H.R. 1566 — either in its current form or amended
of today’s motor vehicles, fixing a broken side mirror entails not only — the next step would be a vote in the House of Representatives.
the actual replacement of the mirror but access to the internal “codes” At this time, it’s difficult to predict the timing of future action but it’s
so that the multitude of sensors embedded in the mirror continue to worth noting that a number of individual states have enacted — or
properly function. are considering enacting — similar Right to Repair legislation. If
enough states enact statutes, it may come to pass that the trucking

One Congressman commented that today’s cars (and trucks) are really and automobile industries prefer one uniform, national Right to Repair
computers on wheels. Citing safety and liability concerns, OEMs are stature rather than deal with a patchwork of state laws and regulations.
attempting to block access to those codes in a manner that results in
diminished options for vehicle owners to get their car or truck repaired. Truck and trailer manufacturers argue that these laws could compromise
security, safety, and proprietary information, potentially leading to
The latest iteration of this initiative is H.R. 1566, the Right to Equitable unauthorized modifications.
and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act — or REPAIR Act — that was
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 25, 2025 Dealers and manufacturers could face enforcement actions if they fail
and referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee. While the to comply with regulations requiring the sharing of repair information,
according to the law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP.

NTDA To Host FET Webinar Series

The NTDA will offer four Federal Excise Tax (FET) Webinars in 2026. An email containing login information will be forwarded to members prior to
each Webinar. There is no cost for members to participate in the series as a benefit of membership.
• NTDA Basics of Federal Excise Tax Webinar — Tuesday, June 23, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. EDT
• NTDA Federal Excise Tax Best Practices — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. EDT
• NTDA Cross-border and Government Transactions — Tuesday, August 18, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. EDT
• NTDA Specialty Trailers — Exemptions — Tuesday, September 22, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. EDT

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