President Donald Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum intended to expand the ability of vehicle owners and independent repairers in the United States to repair vehicles, including work related to emissions systems. The White House listed the memorandum, titled Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix, as a presidential action dated 29 June 2026.
Right-to-Repair Good for Service Providers
According to the White House, the memorandum directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance clarifying which actions individuals may take to repair their own vehicle’s emissions system, provided those actions remain consistent with the Clean Air Act.
The memorandum also directs the EPA to encourage and expedite alternative certification pathways for aftermarket parts. The administration said this is intended to reduce reliance on the California Air Resources Board certification process, which it described as slow and costly, and to provide greater certainty for manufacturers and consumers.
In addition, the EPA Administrator has been instructed to consider deprioritising civil enforcement actions against individuals who, in good faith, attempt to repair their own vehicles to their original configuration.
The White House framed the action as part of a broader effort to reduce regulatory barriers to vehicle repairs and increase access to affordable repair options. It argued that current certification arrangements for emissions-related aftermarket parts have limited supply, increased costs, and reduced consumer choice.
The measure does not, by itself, immediately change existing repair laws or require automakers to provide additional access to repair information; further regulatory or legislative action is likely to be required for more substantial changes.
The issue is also relevant to the wider automotive service sector, including tyre dealers and service professionals. Modern vehicles increasingly rely on software, diagnostics, and vehicle data for routine service work, including tyre replacement, repair, and recalibration. Right-to-repair advocates argue that independent businesses need access to the tools, information, and data required to diagnose, repair, and service vehicles safely without being forced to rely solely on vehicle manufacturers or franchised dealers.
The Tire Industry Association has continued to support federal right-to-repair legislation, including the REPAIR Act, which is currently before Congress. The association argues that federal protections are needed to preserve consumer choice, support road safety, and ensure independent tyre and service businesses can continue to compete.
The White House also pointed to a series of previous deregulatory actions affecting vehicle and equipment policy, including EPA guidance issued in February 2026 on agricultural and non-road equipment repairs, changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, and action related to California electric vehicle mandates.
The development comes as Congress continues to debate a wider legislative agenda, including appropriations, defence legislation, tax administration measures, and other policy matters. For the independent automotive service sector, however, the memorandum represents a further signal that the right to repair remains an active federal policy issue in the United States.
