U.S. President Donald Trump signed the “Freedom to Fix” presidential memorandum on Monday (29), a measure aimed at expanding the so-called Right to Repair for vehicles. The initiative is intended to make it easier for owners to repair their cars themselves or choose where to have repairs carried out, while also expanding the possibilities for approval of independent aftermarket parts.
According to the White House, the memorandum aims to reduce barriers that, in practice, make it more difficult to repair vehicles outside authorized dealerships. The measure also encourages a regulatory review to expand approval options for components produced by independent manufacturers.
What changes for vehicle owners?
Although the memorandum does not immediately change the law, it directs federal agencies to develop policies that strengthen consumers’ right to repair their own vehicles or hire independent repair shops.
In practice, the initiative could favor:
- greater access to technical maintenance information;
- expanded availability of approved replacement parts;
- increased competition among repair shops;
- potentially lower maintenance costs for consumers.
The issue has gained momentum in recent years as modern vehicles have become increasingly dependent on software, electronic modules and proprietary systems, making some repairs more complex outside authorized networks.
Trump defends freedom to repair one’s own vehicle
During the signing ceremony, Trump said the measure represents a “common sense” decision and emphasized that many owners know their vehicles in depth.
“It’s really a matter of common sense. Some people know their cars better than many mechanics. They end up telling the shop how to fix the car or the truck.”
The president also recalled that his administration had already adopted measures related to the trucking sector before signing the new memorandum.
Independent parts market could benefit
The aftermarket parts market moves billions of dollars a year in the United States and plays an important role in maintaining vehicles outside warranty coverage.
Industry experts say Right to Repair policies tend to increase competition among parts manufacturers, distributors and independent repair shops, offering consumers more alternatives without eliminating the option of authorized networks.
At the same time, automakers have traditionally argued that certain technical restrictions help preserve safety, emissions and cybersecurity standards in modern vehicles, especially highly connected ones.
Debate continues
The signing of the memorandum represents another chapter in the debate over the Right to Repair in the United States. In recent years, states, consumer advocacy groups and automotive industry associations have been discussing the balance between access to maintenance information and the preservation of manufacturers’ safety requirements.
If the guidelines set out in the memorandum are implemented by federal agencies, consumers could have access to a broader range of options for maintaining and repairing their vehicles, especially in the independent parts market.
.@POTUS signed the “Freedom to Fix” Presidential Memorandum 🇺🇸
This makes it easier for Americans to repair their own cars by protecting the right to fix vehicles and opening up more options for approving aftermarket parts.
“It’s really common sense.” pic.twitter.com/ciN7HYqRfP
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) June 29, 2026
Source and images: Official White House account and post by presidential communications aide Margo Martin on X. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
