After years of pressure from the autonomous vehicle industry, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles is close to allowing companies to test and deploy self-driving trucks on public roads. However…
Autonomous trucks will soon be allowed in California be tested. Now, however, a new obstacle has emerged: The bill would require a trained human safety operator to be present at all times when a heavy autonomous vehicle is traveling on public roads in the state.
The law, which would go into effect if signed by the governor, would limit regulation of autonomous vehicles, industry fears say. Most companies that autonomous trucks have tested in Florida, Texas and Arizona so far, but introduction in California would provide the ability to ship goods between California and Texas ports.
A law requiring human driver presence would force companies to either adjust their plans or avoid California. However, lawmakers emphasize that far from opposed to driverless operations, they have safety concerns and need to convince companies that their vehicles are safe first. Some members of the industry are skeptical about the AB 316 Act, claiming that the technology is still not understood.
If ratified, it will come into force in January 2024, but also the power of the DMV to regulate autonomous vehicles. The DMV will continue to regulate the testing and use of automated vehicles. However, there is a consensus on the regulatory side that the authority of the DMV to grant approval for the testing and deployment of these technologies must include a qualified person for the foreseeable future. The industry points out that accidents can also occur with on-board personnel.
Overall, however, the industry points out that the legislation does not have enough knowledge of the technology.