America Drives Act Could Accelerate Driverless Truck Rollout

A new bill introduced in Congress could mark a turning point for the U.S. trucking industry, clearing the path for driverless trucks while igniting debate over jobs, safety, and regulation.

The America Drives Act, sponsored by Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.), would establish a federal framework for autonomous trucks and exempt Level 4 and Level 5 vehicles from several key driver-specific regulations.

“While Europe and China are rapidly integrating autonomous trucks into their supply chains, America is asleep at the wheel,” Fong said. “This bill ensures a practical path forward for nationwide deployment.”

What the Bill Proposes

• Federal Framework: Creates uniform federal rules to replace the current patchwork of state regulations.
• Exemptions for ADS Trucks: Driverless vehicles would be exempt from hours-of-service and drug testing requirements.
• Cab-Mounted Warning Systems: Allows warning beacons instead of ground-placed triangles, a change long sought by autonomous truck firms.
• DOT Oversight: Requires the Department of Transportation and FMCSA to update autonomous truck rules by 2027.

Industry Response

Supporters say the legislation could accelerate U.S. adoption of autonomous trucks and help close persistent driver gaps.

Gerardo Interiano, senior vice president at Aurora, said the measure is critical:

“This bill would help the United States win the AI race by creating clear, safety-focused rules for the deployment of autonomous trucks.”

Seval Oz, Trump administration nominee for DOT assistant secretary of research and technology, told senators the trucking sector could be the first major beneficiary:

“It’s one of the first use cases we can emerge with, offering significant economic benefits.”

The Jobs Question

Not everyone is convinced the bill is a clear win. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) backs the legislation but tempers expectations.

ATA President Chris Spear testified:

“Fully autonomous trucks are still 10–15 years away.”

Meanwhile, labor leaders are pushing for stronger protections. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien told lawmakers:

“Upon implementation, you protect and create new jobs. Efficiencies can’t come at the expense of workers.”

Looking Ahead

While the bill positions the U.S. to lead in freight automation, the real test will be balancing efficiency and safety with job protections and public trust, an issue now at the center of the debate.

Source: FreightWaves