Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story had an incorrect title for the revised federal policy on automated vehicles.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Trump administration unveiled streamlined self-driving vehicle guidelines at the University of Michigan's autonomous testing operation Tuesday, eliminating requirements for automakers to seek regulatory approval before launching autonomous technology.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao delivered an overview of the revised federal policy, titled "Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety," during the press event.
The policy suggests states defer safety or performance rules to federal regulators, and recommends that states instead focus on issues such as licensing and registration, liability and insurance.
"This advanced, updated guidance clarifies and incorporates many of the concerns we subsequently heard from stakeholders and users," Chao said. "As the technology advances, and the department gathers new and more information, we will continue to refine and update this document."
Chao said the department is already working on another version of the document, Vision 3.0, to be released next year.
The new policy aims to make department regulations "more nimble" in order to "match the pace of private sector innovation," according to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The new document, updated with technological developments, such as operating guidance for vehicles with Level 3 or above autonomous driving systems, revises "unnecessary" design elements from safety self-assessments, the department said in a statement.
The policy does not impose any new barriers or reporting requirements, and reduces suggested best practices for automakers testing autonomous technologies.
Chao said a voluntary approach was appropriate, and brushed aside a question on why the guidelines would not be backed by enforcement.