# Japan to certify steering-wheel-free EVs by December

> Japan will certify driverless cars without steering wheels starting December 2026.
- Title: Japan to certify steering-wheel-free EVs by December · EVwire
- Summary: Japan will certify driverless cars without steering wheels starting December 2026. Japan plans to certify steering-wheel-free Level 4/5 vehicles under…
- Keywords: japan, mlit, level 4 vehicles, level 5 vehicles, robotaxis, safety standards, steering wheel, cars, technology, climate, certify, steering-wheel-free
- Source: EVwire — https://evwire.com/p/japan-mlit-steering-wheel-free-autonomous-vehicles-unified-certification-december
- Author: Simon Alvarez
- Published: 2026-11-02T11:23:17.235+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, mlit, level 4 vehicles, level 5 vehicles, robotaxis, safety standards, steering wheel, cars, technology, climate
## Japan updates vehicle safety rules
Japan will certify driverless cars without steering wheels starting December 2026.
## New standards cover autonomous vehicles
The rules apply to Level 4 vehicles that drive fully autonomously under specific conditions and Level 5 vehicles that are fully autonomous everywhere.
## Vehicles need no steering wheel or pedals
Certified cars won't require steering wheels, brake pedals, rearview mirrors or driver monitoring systems to cut costs and free cabin space.
## Crash tests remain for passenger vehicles
Crash tests with dummies stay mandatory for taxis and buses but unmanned cargo vehicles skip testing.
## MLIT targets 10,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030
Japan aims to produce 10,000 Level 4-capable buses, taxis and other vehicles by fiscal year 2030.
## MLIT official explains goal
The revision helps Japan hit its target by facilitating mass production of autonomous vehicles.
## Japan follows global safety standards
Japan's rules align with UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations standards set in June.
## Key takeaway

Japan plans to certify steering-wheel-free Level 4/5 vehicles under uniform safety standards from December 2026 to boost robotaxi adoption.