Chicago, Illinois — A September 2026 JW Surety Bonds survey revealed that 52 % of transportation‑industry workers feel uneasy about riding in a self‑driving truck.

The trucking world has long been promised a revolution: autonomous rigs that cut crashes, ease congestion, and lower emissions. For owners and drivers, those promises clash with a reality where jobs, costs, and safety remain uncertain. The new data underscores why many in the field remain skeptical.

The poll asked more than 1,000 respondents from fleets, owner‑operators, and dispatch teams to weigh in on the technology. Only 28 % said they believed driverless trucks would be safer than human‑piloted rigs, while 43 % think they would be more dangerous. Less than half, 46 %, said “autonomous‑only” lanes would improve safety, and 61 % saw value in autonomous dispatch management. Meanwhile, 53 % expressed interest in upskilling to work with the new systems.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers and OTR truck driver crews can expect a slower rollout of fully autonomous fleets than headlines suggest. The survey shows 70 % of industry insiders believe driverless trucks will become mainstream within two decades, but 78 % think the sector isn’t ready for the shift. Safety and reliability concerns dominate, meaning fleets will likely keep a human behind the wheel while testing autonomous features. Owner‑operators should anticipate higher upfront costs for retrofitting rigs, and may need to invest in training programs to stay competitive. Drivers who ignore the upskilling trend could find fewer “truck driver jobs” that require manual operation as automation spreads.

Industry Reaction

Carrier associations have echoed the survey’s cautionary tone, warning that regulatory gaps in FMCSA regulations could stall deployment. Legal and compliance teams point to the 56 % of respondents who flagged regulatory hurdles as a major obstacle. Fleet managers cite the 59 % who worry about implementation and maintenance expenses, and the 51 % who stress the need for retraining programs. The consensus is clear: without a clear safety record and cost‑effective models, trucking companies hiring now will move forward conservatively.

Key Points

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• 52 % of transportation workers feel uneasy about riding in autonomous trucks.
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• Only 28 % think driverless rigs are safer, while 43 % see them as more dangerous.

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