Self-Driving Trucks Get Green Light on Safety Rules

The US Department of Transportation has approved a five-year exemption for autonomous trucking companies, including Aurora and Waymo, from traditional safety regulations. This pivotal decision allows these companies to utilize cab-mounted warning beacons instead of requiring drivers to place reflective triangles around stopped trucks. This change is viewed as a crucial advancement for the commercial deployment of self-driving trucks across the United States.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will require companies using this exemption to notify them and report any crashes involving activated warning beacons. The agency reserves the right to revoke exemptions if safety levels are compromised. Aurora had previously pursued legal action against the FMCSA over a waiver decision, though a temporary waiver issued in October 2025 was later extended several times.