US President Donald Trump on 30 June signed a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to expand Americans' ability to repair their own vehicles, framing the move as a defence of consumer affordability and personal freedom. The order instructs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support what the administration describes as Americans' 'freedom to fix' their own cars, while simultaneously opening up competition in the aftermarket parts industry.

What the Memorandum Directs

The presidential memorandum tasks the EPA with backing independent and self-repair of passenger vehicles — extending protections that were first applied to agricultural equipment under a similar executive action signed in February. The administration argues that broadening access to vehicle repairs and replacement parts will reduce maintenance costs for everyday consumers and create a more level playing field for independent repair shops and small businesses across the United States.

What Trump and Zeldin Said

'I think it's very important, going to lower the price of your car. It's going to lower the price of fixing your car. It has to do with affordability,' Trump said before signing the memorandum. He added that his attention was drawn to the issue after learning of government action against people who repaired their own vehicles. 'It came to my attention because I noticed they were arresting people for fixing their car. They were arresting people for fixing — that's not even believable,' he said.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the administration would not pursue individuals for repairing their own vehicles, contrasting the stance with what he described as the approach of past administrations. 'Americans have the freedom to fix their vehicle. President Trump insists upon it. We are not going to be going after people who are fixing their own vehicle, like past administrations have,' Zeldin said.

Breaking California's Grip on Aftermarket Certification

A significant element of the memorandum targets the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which currently holds the sole third-party certification authority for aftermarket vehicle parts in the US. Zeldin called the arrangement 'backlogged and faulty' and said the administration would end that exclusivity. 'We're going to break that monopoly and no longer will CARB be the only third-party certifier for these aftermarket parts,' he said. The administration also signalled plans to curb imports of what Zeldin described as 'cheap knockoff aftermarket parts' that harm American businesses.

Background and Broader Context

The right-to-repair movement has gained momentum across multiple industries in recent years, with advocates arguing that manufacturers — particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors — have used proprietary software and restricted parts access to lock consumers into costly dealership-only servicing. The Trump administration's move follows a broader federal push: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had previously flagged repair restrictions as anti-competitive under the Biden administration, though enforcement remained limited. Zeldin noted that Trump personally accelerated the proposal after raising it during a weekend phone call, pushing for a swift public announcement.

What Comes Next

The memorandum sets the policy direction but will require the EPA and other relevant agencies to translate it into regulatory guidance. Industry observers expect pushback from automakers and CARB, which has historically defended its certification role as an environmental safeguard. Independent repair associations have broadly welcomed the move, while consumer groups are likely to monitor whether the promised cost reductions materialise at the workshop level.