FMCSA Sends Automated Driving System NPRM to OMB

Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had received a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on “Motor Carrier Operation of Automated Driving System (ADS)-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles”. The FMCSA published an advanced notice of rulemaking (ANPRM) on this topic on May 18^th, 2019.

According to the Fall 2023 Unified Agenda entry for this rulemaking:

“FMCSA proposes to amend certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to ensure the safe introduction of automated driving systems (ADS)-equipped commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) onto the Nation's roadways. 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 has taken several actions to solicit information on issues relating to the testing and integration of ADS-equipped CMVs, including holding listening sessions beginning in 2017 and a 2018 Request for Comments Concerning Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) Which May Be a Barrier to the Safe Testing and Deployment of Automated Driving Systems-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles on Public Roads” (83 FR 12933).  FMCSA continues to attend industry conferences, road show events and meet with various developers and other stakeholders.”