China Plans to Limit Car Touchscreens and Bring Back Physical Buttons

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is considering new rules to tighten car safety requirements, particularly for touchscreens and other technologies that can distract drivers. The ministry is assessing how modern vehicle equipment affects road safety, a move that may affect both carmakers and those introducing new technical solutions.

Screens and controls

The ministry will examine whether touchscreens distract the driver and whether they are safe enough in emergencies. It also plans to ban flexible and foldable displays. Key functions such as gear selection, window heating and headlight control could in future be available through physical buttons and switches.

Seats and lights

Restrictions are also planned for seats that can be lowered to a fully horizontal position while the vehicle is moving. In addition, the ministry intends to assess whether individually customisable headlight light signatures could dazzle other road users.

At the same time, it plans to raise requirements for quality control of car parts, software and vehicles.

Measures already approved

Some safety requirements have already been approved. From 1 January 2027, new car models in China must have mechanically operated door handles both outside and inside the cabin. Retractable door handles will therefore be banned. Models that have already been approved must switch to the new requirement by January 2029.

All the other restrictions mentioned are still under consideration, except for the door handle rule, which has already been approved.