Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog CA

CA DMV Releases Proposed Regulations for Testing Autonomous Trucks on Public Roads

The fries you ordered with that meal will taste even better when delivered in this giant vehicle, with no driver aboard.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles just released proposed regulations to allow companies to test light-duty autonomous vehicles on public roads. These are minor amendments to current regulations on autonomous vehicle testing, removing a prohibition on trucks and on using test vehicles to deliver goods.

The DMV's "statement of reasons" says this is in response to requests from companies that want to test and deploy vehicles that can deliver goods, including "groceries and takeout meals." Under existing regulations, says the statement, "some manufacturers interested in developing autonomous motortrucks have been forced to move their testing operations to other states."

The proposal would allow companies to test vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds, which is what counts as "light-duty" trucks. That includes vehicles that most bicycle riders and pedestrians would consider humongous, such as Ford F-150s or similar vehicles.

Note that the companies testing vehicles would not be allowed to charge for delivery, similar to the way they are not allowed to charge any passengers that might be riding in an autonomous vehicle. They would, however, be allowed to charge for the goods themselves.

So when your neighbors order take-out, their meals could arrive in an oversized pickup with no driver aboard.

Comments on the regulations will be accepted until May 27 at this email address. A public hearing will be held on May 30 in Sacramento to discuss the regulations and any comments that have been received, and to hear from the public.

More information is available here.

The DMV says that 62 companies currently hold valid permits to test autonomous vehicles with a driver onboard, and one company--Waymo--has a permit to test vehicles without a driver present.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Metro 2026 World Cup Transit Plans Emerging

From June 13 to July 7, 2026, Los Angeles will host eight World Cup soccer matches, all at the SoFi Stadium in the city of Inglewood

May 9, 2025

Metro Names Bill Scott as Chief of Police

Chief Scott and Metro leadership emphasized that keeping Metro transit safe would require a multi-faceted approach that included the deployment of officers as well as collaboration with the community, ambassadors, and service providers. "Sometimes enforcement is the answer," Scott said. "Sometimes it's not."

May 7, 2025

Lyft’s Anti-Worker Anti-Transit Record Raises Red Flags For Metro Bike Share

Edwin Aviles and Kalayaan Mendoza urge Metro not to reward bad actors working to undermine workers’ rights and mass transit

See all posts