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President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum Monday to expand Americans’ ability to repair their own vehicles, a move the administration says will reduce repair costs and increase access to aftermarket parts.
The memorandum comes as automakers increasingly rely on proprietary software and specialized tools that limit who can repair modern vehicles, according to the Washington Times.
Under the directive, consumers will be allowed to repair their vehicles using aftermarket or third-party parts. The order also instructs the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance clarifying which repairs individuals may legally make to vehicle emissions systems and to streamline access to aftermarket auto parts.
“This is something that’s very exciting to me,” President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “It means a lot to people that own vehicles, cars in particular, but cars and anything else. It’s going to save them a lot of money. They’re going to be able to do it themselves.”
The president said the action was prompted in part by reports of individuals facing legal consequences for repairing their own vehicles.
The memorandum directs the EPA to de-prioritize civil enforcement actions against people who modify or repair their vehicles in good faith.
“It’s right to fix, and I think it’s really common sense,” he said. “If somebody wants to fix — some of these people are better mechanics than mechanics in the shop. They’re telling the mechanic in the shop how to fix their car or their truck.”
Automakers have opposed efforts to loosen repair restrictions, arguing that manufacturer controls help protect vehicle safety, cybersecurity and compliance with emissions standards.
President Trump said the measure expands on an executive order he signed earlier this year that applied to farm equipment and other nonroad machinery. He said the decision followed reports of people encountering legal obstacles or penalties when trying to repair their own vehicles.
“It’s really common sense,” President Trump said, arguing that many Americans are just as capable, if not more capable, of repairing their own cars than professional mechanics.
