Governor Vetoes California Bill Allowing Human Drivers in Autonomous Trucks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have mandated human drivers aboard self-driving trucks. The measure, which was strongly supported by union leaders and truck drivers, aimed to preserve hundreds of thousands of jobs in the state.

The legislation, vetoed on Friday night, would have prohibited self-driving trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds from operating on public roads without a human driver present. This would have applied to a wide range of vehicles, from UPS delivery vans to large trucks.

The head of the California Labor Federation, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, expressed shock at the governor’s veto and stated that driverless trucks pose a safety risk. She estimated that eliminating drivers from the equation would result in a loss of a quarter of a million jobs in the state. Fletcher emphasized the need to prioritize human drivers and protect good jobs.

In his statement explaining the veto, Governor Newsom argued that additional regulation for autonomous trucks was unnecessary as the existing laws were sufficient. He referred to the 2012 legislation that empowered the California Department of Motor Vehicles to work with relevant experts to establish regulations for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads.

Opponents of the bill contended that self-driving cars on the roads have not caused many serious accidents compared to human-driven vehicles. Businesses also argued that self-driving trucks would improve transportation efficiency.

Union leaders and truck drivers believed that the bill would have addressed safety concerns and the future impact of automation on truck driving jobs. The bill had received widespread support in the legislature, with few lawmakers opposing it. It reflects the ongoing debates surrounding the risks and benefits of self-driving technology and the adaptation of workforces to this new era.

The governor faced pressure from within his administration not to sign the bill, as the Office of Business and Economic Development warned that it could drive self-driving technology companies out of the state. Despite typically enjoying strong support from labor, Newsom ultimately decided to veto the bill.

This veto comes at a time when the discussion around the future of autonomous vehicles intensifies. Recently, two robotaxi companies gained approval to operate in San Francisco at all hours. Last week in Sacramento, hundreds of truck drivers, union leaders, and bill supporters rallied at the state Capitol to urge the governor to sign the bill. Approximately 200,000 commercial truck drivers reside in California.

In addition to vetoing the bill concerning autonomous trucks, Governor Newsom also vetoed a bill related to judges considering a parent’s affirmation of their child’s gender identity in custody cases. Another vetoed measure would have prevented state prison officials from sharing information about incarcerated immigrants with federal authorities.