DMV wants to OK testing of self-driving, heavy-duty trucks on California roads

A self-driving truck from Aurora Photo courtesy of the company The California Department of Motor Vehicles commented Friday it is proposing to allow testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles on state residents roads California now allows self-driving light-duty guest vehicles for testing on general roads but not heavy-duty vehicles weighing more than pounds which manufacturers are testing in states like Texas Arizona and Arkansas The state would limit autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles driverless testing on specified routes that are legal for the size weight and loading of the bicycle or van combination and would largely ban operation on city streets California would not allow testing of certain heavy-duty operations including household movers commercial vehicles used to transfer passengers oversize loads hazardous materials and bulk liquids The state plans a populace hearing on June on the proposal The state is also proposing to update light-duty testing requirements All manufacturers will be required to initially hold a permit to test with a safety driver in the conveyance and then apply in subsequent phases for driverless testing permit and deployment permits To apply for a driverless testing permit for light-duty vehicles manufacturers will be required to conduct testing within the proposed operational design domain for a minimum of miles Heavy-duty manufacturers would be required to conduct at least autonomous miles of testing up to of these miles may occur outside California California is proposing to expand both the frequency and type of input informed to the department during testing and deployments requiring monthly reporting on disengagements van immobilizations and hard braking events The proposal comes as the Trump administration announced Thursday it is easing various reporting requirements for self-driving and advanced driver assistance system incidents