California DMV approves testing of self-driving semi-trucks

California's Department of Motor Vehicles approved testing of autonomous heavy-duty vehicles, including semi-trucks, on public roads Thursday, drawing swift legal threats from the Teamsters union and praise from the self-driving trucking industry.

The ruling opens a regulatory pathway for companies like Aurora, which has already been testing driverless trucks in Texas, to bring autonomous freight operations to the nation's largest state — though an Aurora-commissioned report projects the technology could account for 15% of the U.S. trucking market by 2035.

Aurora, a self-driving truck company that has been operating in Texas since last year, called the California decision a milestone. "We are encouraged to see a regulatory path being established for autonomous freight in California and look forward to working with lawmakers on the safe deployment of autonomous trucking across the state," said Sydnee Journel, Aurora's senior manager of government relations, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Industry demand for the technology is already taking shape: one major carrier has announced plans to purchase 500 Aurora trucks. An Aurora-commissioned report projects 170,000 self-driving trucks could be on U.S. roads by 2035 — representing 15% of the total trucking market, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Unlike human operators, the vehicles can run continuously without mandatory rest breaks.

At the Port of Oakland, William Hall, owner of Coyote Container, said driver shortages have long made autonomous vehicles an attractive option for the freight industry. "You ask any trucking company what their biggest problem is, it's usually the drivers. It's finding drivers, it's keeping drivers and it's keeping them safe and keeping them out of accidents. Those things are all, with automated trucks and driverless trucks, are easier to deal with," Hall said.

Teamsters California condemned the DMV ruling as premature. "The DMV's decision to rush forward with driverless heavy-duty trucks is reckless, and we will use every tool necessary to stop it — including taking this fight to the courts," the union said in a statement. "Make no mistake: this is just the beginning of Teamsters California's fight for good jobs and safety on our roads."

Scott Moura, a UC Berkeley professor and acting director of the Institute of Transportation Studies, acknowledged the stakes on both sides. "Clearly, though, there's drawbacks right," Moura said. "These are often well-paying jobs by skilled labor," he added, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Hall said he remained broadly optimistic about where the technology leads. "I believe in technology providing more jobs for all of us, so I think it's a good thing with trucking," he said.