AMERICA DRIVES Act Aims to Regulate Autonomous Freight Trucks Across the U.S.

On, July 23, 2025, U.S. Rep. Vince Fong introduced the AMERICA DRIVES Act, a bill aimed at establishing a federal framework for autonomous commercial trucking. The legislation would allow commercial trucks equipped with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS) to operate across state lines without a human driver or remote operator. By creating a national standard, the bill seeks to preempt potentially conflicting state regulations, though it raises questions about safety and public health concerns, including crash response and roadside procedures. 

The AMERICA DRIVES Act would direct the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to update rules for ADS-equipped trucks by 2027. It would exempt fully autonomous trucks from certain human-centric requirements — such as hours-of-service limits and drug testing — and prevent regulations that disproportionately affect ADS vehicles. Additionally, the legislation would allow the use of flashing cab-mounted warning beacons as an alternative to traditional warning triangles for disabled vehicles, addressing a previously denied FMCSA exemption request from 2023. 

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), as an advocate for occupational environmental, health and safety (EHS), has a vested interest in the development of legislation like the AMERICA DRIVES Act. While not specifically commenting on this bill, ASSP has a general position to support data-driven and solutions-based public policy. It encourages the use of national consensus standards in the formulation of regulations, which could include the development of safety protocols for autonomous vehicles. For readers, this is significant because ASSP's involvement means that safety professionals are working to ensure that as this technology advances, the potential risks to truck drivers, other motorists, and the public are addressed through well-researched, consistent, and effective regulations. 

Key Provisions of the AMERICA DRIVES Act: 

• Federal Framework: Establishes a national standard for autonomous truck operation to reduce state-by-state regulatory conflicts. 

• Full Autonomy: Permits Level 4 and Level 5 ADS-equipped trucks to operate without human drivers or remote operators. 

• Regulatory Updates: Directs FMCSA to revise rules for autonomous trucks by 2027 and exempts vehicles from certain human-specific operational requirements. 

• Safety Equipment: Authorizes the use of cab-mounted warning beacons instead of warning triangles for disabled commercial vehicles. 

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration. If it advances, it could significantly reshape the regulatory environment for autonomous freight transport, affecting safety standards, workforce expectations, and public health considerations. 

For those interested in reviewing the full text of the legislation, it is available here.