'Driverless' truck waivers: FMCSA hits back at operator's challenge

In response, FMCSA argued Giannoulias failed to make his case for why the waiver should be put on hold.

Federal law authorizes FMCSA to issue waivers, and the challenged waiver is not materially different from waivers FMCSA has issued previously.

In addition to Aurora, other autonomous carriers -- Kodiak Robotics, Waabi Logistics and Stack AV -- have signed onto the waiver, FMCSA noted.

FMCSA previously denied an exemption to Aurora that sought an industry-wide exemption to allow cab-mounted warning beacons because it was too broad.

Issuing sequential waivers is also not out of the ordinary for the agency, FMCSA said, highlighting two waivers issued during the COVID-19 pandemic that were issued seven times each.