Autonomous Trucking: Current State and Future

Understanding Levels of Autonomy

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of driving automation, from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation in all conditions). In commercial trucking, the most relevant levels today are:

• Level 2 — Partial Automation: The truck can control steering and acceleration/braking simultaneously in certain conditions, but a human driver must remain fully engaged and ready to intervene at all times. Many modern ADAS-equipped trucks operate at this level.
• Level 4 — High Automation: The vehicle can handle all driving tasks within a defined operational design domain (ODD)—for example, highway driving between distribution hubs—without human intervention. A driver may or may not be present depending on regulatory requirements and the specific use case.

Most autonomous trucking companies are targeting Level 4 operations on interstate highways as their initial commercial deployment scenario, with human drivers handling the first-mile and last-mile segments.

The Hub-to-Hub Model

The prevailing deployment strategy for autonomous trucking is the transfer hub model. Under this approach, a human driver operates the truck from a shipper or origin terminal to a highway-adjacent transfer hub. At the hub, the autonomous driving system takes over for the long-haul interstate segment. At the destination hub, another human driver completes the final delivery leg. This model allows autonomous technology to operate in the most predictable environment (controlled-access highways) while humans handle complex urban and facility navigation.

Current State of Testing and Deployment

As of the mid-2020s, several companies are conducting commercial autonomous trucking operations or advanced testing programs, primarily in the Sun Belt states. Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico have been popular testing corridors due to favorable weather conditions, long highway stretches, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Some programs are hauling revenue freight with a safety driver onboard, while others are conducting driverless operations on limited routes.

Regulatory Landscape

Autonomous vehicle regulation in the United States remains a patchwork of state-level rules. There is no comprehensive federal framework for autonomous commercial vehicles. Key regulatory considerations include:

1. State operating permits: States vary widely in their requirements for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment permits.
2. Federal safety standards: FMCSA and NHTSA are evaluating how existing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply when there is no human driver. Questions around vehicle inspections, hours of service, and accident reporting are actively being debated.
3. Insurance and liability: Determining fault in a crash involving an autonomous vehicle requires new legal frameworks that most states are still developing.
4. CDL requirements: Current law requires a CDL holder to operate a CMV. Autonomous operations without a driver onboard would require regulatory changes at the federal level.

Industry Impact and Workforce Considerations

Autonomous trucking is unlikely to eliminate truck driving jobs in the near term. Industry analysts project that initial deployments will address the existing driver shortage rather than displace current drivers. The hub-to-hub model actually creates new local driving positions at transfer hubs while automating the long-haul segments that are hardest to staff. Maintenance technicians, remote monitoring operators, and logistics coordinators for autonomous fleets represent new roles that the technology creates.

Challenges Ahead

Significant technical and practical challenges remain. Adverse weather (heavy rain, snow, fog) degrades sensor performance. Construction zones with temporary lane markings and flaggers are difficult for automated systems to navigate. Public perception and trust must be built through transparent safety records. Infrastructure investments in transfer hubs and connectivity corridors are needed to support scaled deployment.

To explore safety data for carriers operating in autonomous testing corridors, visit our carrier search and research tools. You can also look up specific vehicles by VIN to review their inspection history.