The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced a new proposal on Friday that would allow the testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles on public roads. Currently, California permits only the testing of autonomous light-duty passenger vehicles on public roads, while testing of heavier vehicles, those weighing more than 10,001 pounds, is conducted in other states like Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. Under the proposed regulations, the testing of autonomous heavy-duty commercial vehicles would be permitted on designated routes that are appropriate for the size, weight, and loading of the vehicle combinations but would largely prohibit their operation on city streets.
The new rules would not allow testing for specific heavy-duty operations such as household movers, vehicles transporting passengers commercially, those carrying oversize loads, hazardous materials, or bulk liquids. A public hearing is scheduled for June 10 to review and gather feedback on the proposal. In addition to defining where testing can occur, the state plans to impose stringent mileage requirements. Manufacturers applying for driverless testing permits for heavy-duty vehicles would need to complete at least 500,000 miles of autonomous testing, though up to 400,000 of those miles could be conducted outside California. By contrast, manufacturers of light-duty autonomous vehicles must complete only 50,000 miles of testing within the proposed operational design domain.
The California DMV also aims to expand both the frequency and scope of the data manufacturers must report during testing and deployment phases. New requirements would include monthly reporting on disengagements, vehicle immobilizations, and hard braking events, significantly increasing transparency around vehicle performance and safety.
The proposal comes against a broader national backdrop where regulatory requirements for self-driving technology are evolving. Recently, the Trump administration announced plans to ease some reporting obligations for incidents involving self-driving and advanced driver assistance systems. Meanwhile, heavy-duty truck manufacturers face other regulatory challenges. Earlier in 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration denied Aurora Innovation’s application to pilot modernized roadside warning systems in autonomous trucking, leading the company to file a lawsuit in January. Aurora has stated its intention to launch driverless trucks in Texas starting in April, pushing forward despite regulatory hurdles. California’s new proposal reflects a cautious but significant step toward integrating self-driving heavy-duty vehicles into the state’s transportation ecosystem while maintaining a focus on public safety and operational accountability.
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