California Clears Path for Self-Driving Trucks on Public Highways

California regulators have released revised rules that would allow companies to test and eventually deploy self-driving trucks on public highways. The proposed changes mark a significant shift in the state's stance on autonomous vehicles, particularly for trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds, which have been banned from testing on public roads. The California Department of Motor Vehicles opened a 15-day comment period for the proposed revisions, which ends on December 18. The agency released a draft of the proposed changes in 2024, and the final revisions were released on Wednesday. The revised regulations cover a few areas beyond self-driving trucks, including language that appears to give law enforcement the power to issue traffic tickets to driverless vehicles. The immediate impact of the proposed changes is expected to be significant, with companies such as Waymo and others that have been developing and testing autonomous vehicle technology in the state likely to be among the first to benefit. The revised regulations are seen as a major step forward for the industry, which has been waiting for clarity on the rules governing self-driving trucks. The ban on self-driving trucks in California has been in place for several years, and it has hindered the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the state. However, with the proposed revisions, companies can now move forward with testing and deploying self-driving trucks on public highways. The next step will be for the California Department of Motor Vehicles to review the public comments received during the 15-day comment period. The agency will then finalize the revised regulations, which are expected to be implemented in the coming months. The proposed changes are seen as a major victory for the autonomous vehicle industry, and they are likely to have a significant impact on the development and deployment of self-driving trucks in California and beyond.