Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, June 11, 2025:
California’s driverless truck ban resurfaces, with some changes
The California lawmaker behind two previous attempts to ban driverless trucks in the state is taking a different approach to getting the legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this time around.
California Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in both 2023 and 2024 introduced bills in the state to ban autonomous trucks over 10,001 pounds from operating in the state without a human in-cab. In both years, the bill passed both the State Assembly and the State Senate but were vetoed by Newsom.
This time around, Aguiar-Curry changed her strategy to get the bill signed. Assembly Bill 33 would actually allow driverless autonomous trucks to operate in California, as long as the operation without a human operator on board does not include “the delivery of commercial goods … directly to a residence or to a business for its use or retail sale.”
Violation of the provision would not be classified as a crime, but it would be punishable by a civil fine of up to $25,000 for each violation.
[Related: California governor again spikes driverless truck ban]
“Theoretically, this bill would not prohibit the possibility for the operation of driverless AVs for deliveries, including vehicles over 10,001 pounds, to a business so long as the product is not intended to be used or sold at that location,” according to committee comments within the Assembly Floor Analysis provided in the docket. “It is unclear in the bill what ‘use’ may mean and could be interpreted to mean even storing the product counts as a ‘use.’”
Aguiar-Curry said her bill “protects public safety and supports California's workforce by requiring a human safety operator in autonomous vehicles used for commercial deliveries to homes and businesses.”
She added that the “testing and deployment of light-duty AVs in California have been fraught with malfunctions, including interference with emergency response scenes, collisions, and sudden stops that block traffic. Adding deliveries of countless consumer goods to homes and businesses on local streets and roads throughout the state will result in a proliferation of autonomous vehicles -- meaning that AVs have greater potential to injure and kill Californians and threaten jobs.”
Ultimately, Aguiar-Curry said, “By requiring human oversight, this bill allows AV technology to advance responsibly while prioritizing public safety and creating a pathway for California's transportation workforce to adapt to AV technology."
So far, the bill has cleared its first legislative hurdle by passing the State Assembly with a 57-7 vote. It’s now with the State Senate, where it will need to pass before heading to Newsom’s desk for a potential signature, or veto.
[Related: 'Big Beautiful Bill' AI provisions could halt state driverless truck bans]
VTTI looking for drivers for semi-autonomous trucking simulator study
In related news, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is looking for drivers to participate in a simulator study to learn about semi-autonomous commercial motor vehicles. The study is sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Participants will "drive" in one of two types of simulators for one extended study session. There is no driving on public roadways. The session will last up to 17 hours, including breaks. During the study, continuous video of the participant's face, hands, and the steering wheel will be recorded. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires.
VTTI is looking for truckers who:
- Are ages 21 and above
- Have a valid Class-A or Class-B Commercial Driver's License
- Actively drive a large truck such as a tractor-trailer, a straight or construction truck, or bus, etc. as part of their job
- Are willing to drive in a simulator located in Blacksburg, Virginia
- Are not prone to motion sickness
The study provides compensation of $975 for full participation.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in more information, contact 540-231-1277 or [email protected], and mention the "Truck Team" study.
[Related: DOT Secretary Duffy launches autonomous vehicle 'Innovation Agenda']
$1.6 million stolen load of electronics recovered
Over the weekend, the Overhaul cargo theft recording and supply chain protection firm assisted in the recovery of a full truckload of electronics after it was fraudulently stolen from its origin at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.
The shipment was taken well past its destination of Childress, Texas, into New Mexico and beyond into Arizona.
Overhaul’s LE (law enforcement) Connect team was already monitoring the shipment when the theft report was filed with DFW airport police, permitting the equipment and cargo to be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which would allow police officers in other jurisdictions to recognize the equipment and cargo as stolen.
[Related: California cargo theft horror stories]
Once the theft report was filed, the LE Connect team coordinated with the Arizona Highway Patrol, who were able to set up on I-40 to monitor for the stolen cargo while equipped with real-time locations and photos of the tractor and trailer from origin. The tractor was located traveling through Flagstaff, Arizona, where troopers initiated a stop.
Three subjects found in the tractor -- two of whom were identified as drivers -- were arrested. Two of the subjects were in the country illegally, Overhaul noted. The owner of the tractor had a California CDL with last name “Diamond” and first name “No Name Given”.
The trailer, with all $1.6 million worth of cargo, was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.
To prevent similar cases, Overhaul recommends that shippers of targeted and high-demand or high-value products be thorough in vetting brokers and carriers in their network. That includes documenting all drivers, tractors, and trailers that arrive to pick up cargo with thorough pictures that include all identifying markings on the tractor-trailer. Additionally, documenting the driver and his or her CDL to verify that the information being documented matches the information provided prior to the driver’s arrival.
[Related: Rival Armenian crime syndicates busted in L.A.: DOJ]
