The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released draft regulations for the operation of self-driving vehicles on highways on Aug. 30 local time, paving the way for self-driving trucks to begin long-haul transportation, Reuters reported. The regulatory framework being planned by the DMV would require light- and heavy-duty self-driving trucks to have safety drivers in the early stages of operation and accept written feedback on the draft by October 14, the report said. If approved, the regulations could be a huge win for self-driving trucking startups, but they could also threaten trucking jobs.
Self-driving trucks have already had some success in delivering goods on pre-planned routes. Already, companies like Waabi are operating self-driving trucks equipped with safety drivers on planned roads, transporting goods for Uber between Dallas and Houston, Texas.
The draft regulations mentioned above have received mixed reviews from various quarters. The Teamsters, the truckers' union, condemned the regulations, saying they threaten jobs and public safety.According to Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, "These regulations are an affront to California workers, who are already worried about losing their jobs to automation."
However, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) welcomed the draft regulations, calling it "an important step toward achieving a safe and resilient supply chain on California's roads."
Just a day before the draft was released, the California Assembly passed two self-driving car safety bills that would require driverless trucks to be equipped with safety drivers and would require self-driving car manufacturers to report all vehicle collisions, traffic violations, and more. The bills will need to be signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom if they are to become official law.
Self-driving technology is currently facing intense scrutiny from safety regulators. Self-driving car companies such as Waymo, which is owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, and Cruise, which is owned by General Motors, have had disagreements with regulators over accidents involving self-driving cars. Earlier this year, a Waymo car hit a bicyclist at an intersection, while a Cruise car was involved in a serious accident in San Francisco last year.