California is considering changing rules to allow heavy-duty autonomous trucks
- California is opening up rules for autonomous big-rig testing
- The Golden State is set to allow the testing of self-driving trucks
- This brings California closer in line with what other states already do
Published on Apr 30, 2025 at 8:04 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The US state of California is considering changing its rules to allow big rig drivers to drive autonomous trucks.
California is looking at updating its autonomous vehicle regulations, meaning autonomous vehicle companies can test big trucks in the Golden State.
The move would be the culmination of around a decade of work, with California at times having some of the strictest rules for autonomous cars and trucks.
Companies, residents, and the state itself will be hoping that this potential move doesn’t backfire.
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What the new autonomous driving rules will mean
Within the new rules, one of the biggest changes is what it would allow for semis and other heavy-duty self-driving vehicles.
Anything that weighs over 10,001lbs will now be allowed to test in the Golden State.
That includes semis and heavy-duty self-driving vehicles that weigh over that figure.
In terms of legislation, the vehicles would need a DMC-approved permit and conduct at least 500,000 miles of testing.
On top of that, the autonomous trucks would also be restricted to specific highways.
California is playing catch-up to other states.
Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona already allow for the testing of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles.
So, California’s new rules merely put it closer to its fellow US states.
The new rules have been a decade in the making
Remarkably, the rules have been a decade in the making for the American state.
The Californian DMV has spent that time working on autonomous vehicle rules and regulations, with them changing several times.
The updates recently announced are much milder and more progressive than previous changes have been.
In the past, California has given the green light to companies like Waymo to test driverless taxis.
But until now, it has outright refused to allow the testing of any form of big rig.
As a side effect of this, light-duty vehicle testers would also face stricter data reporting requirements.
California is looking to revise those rules slightly, as well as provide updated validation protocols.
California is ready to move forward regarding autonomous vehicles.
The hope is that this will allow further opening up of the rules in the Golden State.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a leading heritage steam railway in England.
