Trump signs presidential memo that gives Americans more options to fix their cars

President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Monday that gives Americans more options for fixing their vehicles and protects their rights to fix the vehicles themselves.

The president's action comes as automakers increase the costs of vehicle repairs and control who can repair the vehicles through software and other exclusive tools, according to the Washington Times. 

The memorandum allows consumers to fix their own cars with aftermarket or third-party parts, directs the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance clarifying what actions individuals may take to fix their vehicles’ emissions systems, and expedites ways for consumers to acquire aftermarket auto parts. 

“This is something that’s very exciting to me,” 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 signing also comes after Trump claimed he heard about people who were "arrested for fixing their car." The order directs the EPA to de-prioritize civil actions against people who attempt to fix or modify their cars if they do so in good faith.

“It’s right to fix, and I think it’s really common sense," Trump 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 pushed back against decreasing restrictions on consumers fixing their own vehicles, claiming they are needed to protect vehicle safety, ‌cybersecurity ⁠and emissions compliance.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.