DIY Auto Repair Freedom
President Trump Directs EPA to Expand DIY Car Repair, Promising Lower Costs
Key Points
The memorandum was signed at the White House Oval Office on June 29, 2026, with Trump framing it as lowering car repair costs.
The EPA will issue guidance clarifying permissible actions to fix emissions systems and will stop issuing civil actions against individuals who fix or modify their vehicles, signaling a more permissive approach.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin attended the announcement and stated the administration would not 'be going after people who are fixing their own vehicles like past administrations have,' while highlighting concerns about counterfeit aftermarket parts.
Trump referenced and connected the move to a prior pardon of Troy Lake, a man convicted for conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act for disabling emissions monitoring on commercial trucks; Trump pardoned Lake in November.
President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on June 29, 2026, making it easier for Americans to fix their own cars using aftermarket parts. The move directs the EPA to stop pursuing civil actions against individuals who repair or modify their vehicles, a sharp break from how past administrations enforced the Clean Air Act. Detroit News reported the signing took place in the Oval Office, with Trump calling it relief from what he described as a monopoly on auto parts and repair.
Trump told attendees, "If you bought it, you own it, and you should be able to fix it without a PhD or a $500-an-hour specialist." The move could affect the $400 billion U.S. automotive aftermarket industry, according to the Auto Care Association. It mirrors a February 2026 directive that gave farmers similar repair rights over their own equipment.
EPA Will Stop Fining Americans for DIY Car Repairs
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin attended the signing and was direct about the policy shift. "We won't be going after people who are fixing their own vehicles like past administrations have," Zeldin said. Before this change, the EPA could seek between $10,000 and $40,000 in civil penalties per tampered vehicle under Section 203(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act, which bans removing or disabling emissions controls. NTD reported Zeldin framed the new posture around "affordability and common sense."
The EPA will now issue guidance clarifying what individuals can legally do when fixing their vehicle's emissions system. The Epoch Times reported the memorandum also directs the agency to speed up access to aftermarket parts — components made by companies other than the original manufacturer. Zeldin did flag one concern: counterfeit aftermarket parts that could fail or cause safety problems.
California's CARB Targeted as a One-State Gatekeeper
A central target of the memorandum is California's Air Resources Board, known as CARB. Under the Clean Air Act, California holds a unique waiver to set stricter emissions rules than the federal government. Because 17 states plus Washington D.C. follow California's standards, CARB certification is effectively required to sell aftermarket parts in roughly 40% of the U.S. new car market. The Trump administration calls this a "one-state monopoly."
Freedom 96.9 reported that the memorandum calls for CARB to no longer be the sole third-party certifier for aftermarket parts, arguing the agency's certification process is backlogged and flawed. CARB responded the same day, June 29, vowing to uphold state-level emissions standards regardless of what federal guidance says. A legal fight between California and the federal government is widely expected, with analysts watching the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Troy Lake Pardon Previewed This Policy Shift
Trump connected the memorandum to his November 2025 pardon of Troy Lake, a businessman convicted of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act. Lake's crime involved installing "defeat devices" — hardware that tricks emissions sensors — on commercial diesel trucks. Trump framed the pardon as correcting regulatory overreach. Critics saw it differently. Free Press noted that environmental groups argue the pardon signaled the administration was willing to look past intentional emissions cheating, not just innocent DIY repairs.
Environmental organizations warn of real-world consequences. If "DIY repair" becomes a cover for disabling catalytic converters or diesel particulate filters, urban air quality could worsen. The average American household spent $1,200 on vehicle repair and maintenance in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — a figure the administration says this policy will help lower. Rural drivers and owners of older vehicles are expected to benefit most in the short term.
Automakers Warn of Cybersecurity Risks from Open Repair Access
Not all reactions were positive. Major automakers raised cybersecurity concerns. Modern vehicles run on dozens of interconnected software systems. Manufacturers argue that opening up diagnostic tools and emissions software to independent repair shops — or individual owners — creates vulnerabilities that bad actors could exploit. The Auto Care Association, which represents the aftermarket industry, cautiously praised the move but echoed Zeldin's warning about counterfeit parts flooding the market.
The Epoch Times reported independent repair shops and retailers like AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts may see rising demand if the policy holds. Authorized dealerships, which rely heavily on service departments for profit, could lose significant repair revenue. The EPA's formal guidance documents are expected within 30 days of the signing, and will clarify exactly which repairs individuals may carry out without fear of federal enforcement.
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