California Considers Authorizing Self-Driving Semi-Trucks
Written by Maggie Angst, The Sacramento Bee
Published Jan. 31, 2023
Following years of pleadings from the autonomous vehicle industry, California officials are revisiting a statewide policy that prohibits self-driving semi-trucks and big rigs on its roads.
Should California regulators decide to open the floodgates, two state legislators are pushing to limit any potential fallout. Asm. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, on Jan. 26 filed new legislation requiring a trained individual behind the wheel in any autonomous vehicle that weighs more than 10,001 pounds. Asm. Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, and Asm. Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, co-authored the bill.
The proposal comes as the California Department of Motor Vehicles hosts a public workshop Feb. 3 to discuss modifying regulations around large autonomous vehicles.
