Sacramento, California — The state Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance voted to advance AB316, a measure that would prohibit driverless commercial trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds from transporting freight or passengers without a human behind the wheel.

The proposal arrives as California grapples with more than 4,250 traffic deaths in 2021, a tenth of which involved a large truck. Lawmakers argue that removing a driver from a heavy‑duty vehicle could jeopardize public safety, while the trucking community points to autonomous technology as a way to cut fatigue‑related crashes. The bill seeks to lock the state into a manual‑only regime while other states experiment with autonomous freight.

Assembly members Cecilia Aguiar‑Curry (D‑Winters), Tom Lackey (R‑Palmdale) and Ash Kalra (D‑San Jose) authored the legislation after it cleared the Assembly Transportation Committee earlier this year. A coalition of business groups—including the Institute for Safer Trucking, California Chamber of Commerce, US Xpress, California Manufacturers & Technology Association, and the California Hispanic Chamber—sent a joint letter denouncing the bill as an unfounded ban on “life‑saving technology.” Jeff Farrah, executive director of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, warned that the measure ignores data showing autonomous trucks can reduce impaired, distracted or drowsy‑driver incidents.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers could see a slowdown in adoption of autonomous rigs, meaning demand for traditional long‑haul routes remains steady for the near term. Owner‑operators may face higher operating costs if fleets delay the rollout of driver‑assist systems that promise fuel savings and reduced wear. Fleet managers will need to keep a human crew on every truck over 10,000 pounds, limiting the ability to run 24‑hour operations with fewer drivers. The ban also stalls potential wage growth tied to higher‑productivity autonomous platforms, keeping OTR truck driver earnings tied to current market rates.

Industry Reaction

The opposition letter called AB316 “an effective ban on this life‑saving technology with no pathway for Californians to benefit.” It added that supporters offered “zero evidence that AV trucks are unsafe or will cause mass layoffs of truck drivers.” US Xpress and several regional carriers echoed the sentiment, saying the bill would lock California out of a national push toward safer, more efficient freight movement. Jeff Farrah emphasized that California’s own safety officials are best positioned to oversee testing, and that a legislative ban undermines that expertise.

Key Points

• AB316 targets autonomous trucks over 10,000 pounds, requiring a human operator on every such vehicle.
• The bill cleared the Assembly Transportation Committee before moving to the Communications and Conveyance Committee.
• More than 4,250 Californians died on state roads in 2021, with large trucks involved in over 10% of those fatalities.
• Industry groups, including the Institute for Safer Trucking and US Xpress, argue the legislation lacks data and could hinder safety improvements.

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