White House Memo Pushes for Easier DIY Car Repairs, But Right-to-Repair Advocates Say It’s Just the Start

The White House has issued a presidential memorandum directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to simplify rules around do-it-yourself (DIY) vehicle repairs, particularly concerning emissions systems under the Clean Air Act. Signed by President Donald Trump, the memo aims to clarify what vehicle owners can legally do when repairing their own cars’ emissions systems, speed up approval processes for aftermarket emissions parts, and reduce reliance on California’s CARB certification process. It also suggests the EPA may ease civil enforcement against individuals who repair their vehicles and restore them to factory configurations. The administration argues the current system inflates repair costs, limits consumer choice, and creates delays for aftermarket manufacturers seeking approval for replacement components. Trump framed the move as an extension of earlier guidance for agricultural equipment, claiming it saves farmers an average of $33,000 per repair. “It’s really common sense,” he told reporters, adding that many Americans are better than mechanics at fixing their own cars. However, the memorandum falls short of the sweeping changes right-to-repair advocates had hoped for. They were seeking legislation to compel automakers to share diagnostic software, repair data, and specialist tools—intel that automakers have long protected, often forcing drivers to rely on franchised dealers for repairs. During an Oval Office event on June 4, Trump criticized automakers and dealers, stating, “They don’t want people to fix their car. They want a bill that prohibits people from fixing vehicles.” The memorandum does not address broader right-to-repair issues, leaving advocates frustrated by the lack of progress on access to diagnostic tools and proprietary repair information.