Sponsors (3)
The bill accelerates deployment and commercial use of high‑automation and remote‑operated trucks by giving carriers regulatory clarity and cost relief, but it risks worker displacement, weaker safety oversight, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and transition costs for small businesses and local authorities.
Commercial motor carriers and ADS manufacturers gain clear federal regulatory rules (including definitions for 'remote driver' and 'remote assistance') and a deadline for FMCSA guidance, reducing legal uncertainty for deploying driverless/high‑automation trucks.
ADS-equipped carriers and fleets can lower operating and compliance costs because driverless operations are exempted from many driver-specific obligations (hours‑of‑service, CDL, drug testing, physical qualifications) and the bill prevents unduly burdensome or discriminatory rules against ADS carriers.
When ADS technology is mature and used in appropriate long‑haul interstate operations, automated trucks could reduce crashes caused by human error, potentially improving road safety.
Truck drivers and driving-dependent communities face job displacement and loss of driver-related protections as driverless operations can eliminate driving jobs and remove HOS, CDL, drug‑testing, and physical qualification requirements when no human is onboard.
Safety oversight and crash investigation could be weakened because exempting driver-specific rules (like ELDs/HOS) and limiting 'undue' regulation reduces enforcement data and may constrain DOT/state safety conditions.
Remote operation and automated systems increase cybersecurity and privacy risks to cargo, vehicles, and the transportation network if robust protections are not required and enforced.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Allows Level 4/5 automated commercial vehicles to operate interstate without a human onboard and directs DOT to update FMCSA rules to integrate ADS operations.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Vince Fong · Last progress July 23, 2025
Allows commercial trucks and other commercial motor vehicles with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS) to operate in interstate commerce without a human on board or a remote human driver, and directs the Department of Transportation to write rules to implement that change. The bill also requires DOT to update Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules to address ADS operations by September 30, 2027, defines key ADS terms, exempts certain human-driver-specific rules when an engaged ADS is operating without a human, and treats cab-mounted warning beacons as permissible devices under FMCSA rules.