Running empty? FMCSA to issue proposal for driverless trucks All the way back in May 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding commercial motor vehicles that are equipped with automated driving systems. So that we’re all on the same page, an advance notice isn’t a formal proposal. Instead, think of it as the tire-kicking or information-gathering stage. Basically, the agency seeks feedback to help it develop a proposal. In 2023, the agency determined that it needed even more feedback and published a second advance notice of proposed rulemaking. That brings us to the present, when FMCSA expects to unveil a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the “Motor Carrier Operation of ADS-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles.” “FMCSA proposes to amend certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to ensure the safe introduction of ADS-equipped commercial motor vehicles onto the nation’s roadways,” the agency wrote in the regulatory agenda. “The proposed changes to the CMV operations, inspection, repair and maintenance regulations prioritize safety and security, promote innovation, foster a consistent regulatory approach to ADS-equipped CMVs and recognize the difference between human operators and ADS.” FMCSA is targeting August for the release of its proposal. Concerns voiced In 2023, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association told FMCSA that autonomous trucks aren’t the “cure-all” some suggest. “While we are still years away from fully automated trucks, decisions made today will have a significant impact on the deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies, ADS-equipped commercial motor vehicles, and ultimately, on the livelihood of professional truck drivers and the economy at large,” OOIDA wrote in 2023. “Elected officials, federal regulators and our industry partners must develop autonomous vehicle policies in a responsible manner that considers the perspective of American truckers.” Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called out all