California Greenlights Driverless Trucks on Key Highways

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Motor Vehicles formally adopted regulations on April 28, 2026, clearing the path for heavy-duty autonomous trucks over 10,001 pounds to test and deploy without human drivers on public highways, ending a years-long prohibition. Manufacturers like those behind self-driving semis must now secure permits, starting with safety-driver testing, advancing to driverless operations, and culminating in commercial deployment. Heavy-duty applicants face rigorous requirements: 500,000 testing miles per phase — totaling 1 million miles — plus a detailed safety case on hardware, software and operations.

The rules target high-traffic routes in Northern and Southern California, including I-5 corridors from Sacramento through the Central Valley to Los Angeles, where trucking congestion costs billions annually. Companies must comply with commercial motor vehicle laws, such as stopping at California Highway Patrol weigh stations, while remote operators need licensing and training. Industry advocates note autonomous trucks could run nearly 24/7 without mandatory rest breaks, easing supply chain strains in ports like Long Beach and Oakland.

Safety enhancements dominate the overhaul. Law enforcement can now issue 'Notices of AV Noncompliance' to manufacturers for moving violations by driverless vehicles, addressing incidents like a September 2025 illegal U-turn by a robotaxi in San Bruno that evaded ticketing. First responders gain power under Assembly Bill 1777 to geofence emergency zones electronically; AVs must exit within two minutes or face permit suspension. Some provisions activate immediately, with others phasing in over months as firms like Aurora and TuSimple eye expansions.