Two landmark federal bills aimed at restoring vehicle owners’ access to, and control over, the data generated by their own vehicles have been introduced into the U.S. Congress, according to the American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA), which has publicly endorsed the Dec. 12 introduction of the legislation.

AVOA is a coalition committed to protecting vehicle owners’ rights to access and control all data generated by their vehicles – data that rightfully belongs to the vehicle owner, not the manufacturer. The American Car Rental Association is a strong AVOA supporter and partner.

The Data Rights to Information and Vehicle Electronic Records (DRIVER) Act and the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy (ADPA) Act represent a breakthrough for consumer rights, privacy, and competition.

Introduced by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) and Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03), the DRIVER Act would require vehicle manufacturers to provide American consumers with full access to all data generated by their vehicles.

The legislation would prevent manufacturers from imposing restrictive terms or additional fees that limit owner control, empowering drivers to decide if, and with whom, their data may be shared.

In parallel, Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the ADPA Act, which would prohibit manufacturers from accessing certain vehicle data without the owner’s consent and require that owners be provided with access to their data without additional charges. The bill also includes important limitations on what data manufacturers may collect in the first place.

The DRIVER Act and the ADPA Act establish foundational protections for consumers while enabling innovation, competition, and a fair market for connected vehicle services. 

“It used to be, if you owned a car, that meant you owned everything, including the data it generated," said Don Lefeve, the President and CEO of the American Car Rental Association in a Dec. 18 statement. "But, as our vehicles have become more connected than ever before, automakers are claiming ownership over that data. The DRIVER Act and ADPA Act are both critical steps in restoring trust and ensuring that American drivers — not manufacturers — can access and control their information generated by their own vehicles.”

Benefits For Rental Fleets

Lefeve explained how this legislation helps rental fleet operations: 

• It guarantees them access to their vehicles' data at no cost. Currently, OEMs grant access to vehicle data only if additional fees are paid. This legislation would guarantee that when you buy the vehicle, you also have the right to access your vehicle’s data.

• It prevents OEMs from being gatekeepers. OEMs are increasingly becoming gatekeepers of vehicle data as data is stored now in the cloud. This makes the data inaccessible to owners. Unless legislation is implemented, OEMs will be the gatekeepers of vehicle data. Vehicle data is vital for car rental operators, from how they manage their fleets to how they perform maintenance and repairs. The data is also vital for future technology. Unless data access is guaranteed, future automotive innovation will suffer because only the OEMs will have data needed to produce the next generation of technology.

“For fleet owners and operators, it means fair access to their data, which they need to maintain vehicles, manage safety, and keep their businesses competitive,” said Richard Ward, executive director of AVOA, about the DRIVER ACT in a Dec. 16 news release.  “AVOA urges Congress to pass the DRIVER Act to protect consumers’ property rights, foster competition, and prevent unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on owners’ access to their data."

Auto manufacturers for too long have dominated the data vehicle owners generate through driving them Ward said. “This bill is a critical step to restore trust and ensure that American drivers — not just manufacturers — access and control the information generated by their own vehicles. When you buy a car, you should own both the machine and the data it produces. For individual drivers, this means stronger privacy and property rights.”

On the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act, Ward said: “Motor vehicle fleet owners and operators provide a wide range of essential mobility services. Yet manufacturers are increasingly limiting access to vehicle-generated data, undermining the property rights of consumers and fleet operators alike. Vehicle owners must have access to and control over their vehicle-generated data, which is critical for privacy, safety, innovation, and fair market competition.”