Autonomous Truck Regulations Roll Forward at Key DMV Hearing

The path to launching self-driving trucks in California took an important step forward yesterday (June 10) when the Department of Motor Vehicles held a hearing to collect public feedback on a proposal to lift prohibitions on autonomous heavy-duty vehicles. Over the past decade the state has developed a framework to test and deploy autonomous cars like Waymo and Zoox, while heavier vehicles like trucks and buses have remained prohibited in the state. Until now. With the proposed changes, California would take a critical step to improve the safety and efficiency of our goods movement operations in the state.

Council Vice President Emily Loper testified at the state hearing, applauding the DMV for moving forward with developing a framework for testing and deploying all types of autonomous vehicles on our roads. Autonomous trucking companies like Council member Aurora have already begun commercial trucking operations in other states, and California should be attracting that investment and harnessing the benefits of autonomous trucking in the state that is home to the world’s greatest transportation innovation companies.

The Council also encouraged the DMV to not exclude passenger-carrying vehicles from the regulatory framework, because autonomous buses and shuttles provide an important opportunity to modernize and improve the efficiency of our state’s public transportation system. To engage in the Council’s transportation innovation work, contact Vice President Emily Loper.