San Francisco, California — Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill on September 22 that would have mandated a human driver on any self‑driving truck weighing over 10,000 pounds, igniting backlash from unions and truckers across the state.
The measure, which would have covered everything from UPS delivery vans to massive big rigs, was praised by labor leaders who warned that eliminating human oversight could wipe out up to a quarter million jobs in California’s trucking sector. The legislation had passed the state legislature with little opposition, reflecting a growing push to regulate autonomous vehicle deployment on public roads.
California Labor Federation chief Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher slammed the veto, citing safety risks and potential job losses. She said, “We will not sit by as bureaucrats side with tech companies, trading our safety and jobs for increased corporate profits.” The Office of Business and Economic Development warned that the bill could drive companies developing self‑driving technology out of state, while the 2012 law that currently allows collaboration between the DMV, CHP, NHTSA and other experts would remain in place to set safety standards for autonomous vehicles.
What This Means for Drivers
Without the bill, autonomous trucks may operate on California roads without a human CDL‑A driver present, raising concerns for OTR truck drivers and owner‑operators who rely on consistent employment. Fleet managers might face increased risk of accidents if self‑driving systems fail, potentially leading to stricter FMCSA regulations in the future. Driverless trucks could also shift the market toward fleet owners who can afford to invest in autonomous technology, squeezing smaller operators out of the competitive landscape.
Industry Reaction
Truckers and union leaders gathered outside the state Capitol in Sacramento last week, chanting “Sign that bill” as they urged lawmakers to protect their jobs. Carriers expressed a split view: some see autonomous trucks as a way to reduce operating costs and improve delivery times, while others fear that rapid automation will erode the demand for truck driver jobs. Tech companies, meanwhile, argue that increased autonomy will enhance transportation efficiency and safety when properly regulated.
Key Points
- Governor Newsom vetoed the bill on September 22, keeping autonomous trucks able to operate without a human driver on California roads.
- California hosts about 200,000 commercial truck drivers, according to Teamsters officials, making job security a high priority for the industry.
- The 2012 law still allows state agencies to collaborate on autonomous vehicle safety regulations, a process that could evolve without the new bill.
- Union leaders warn that the absence of a human driver could lead to job losses and safety concerns, while some carriers see efficiency gains.
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