Bill > HR4661

This bill, known as the AMERICA DRIVES Act, aims to clarify and facilitate the operation of commercial motor vehicles equipped with advanced automated driving systems (ADS) at Levels 4 and 5, which are capable of full driving automation under defined or all conditions without human intervention. The bill provides a legal framework that allows such vehicles to operate in interstate commerce without a human driver on board or a remote human driver, while requiring the Department of Transportation to develop regulations to support this integration. The legislation defines key terms like ADS, referencing SAE International's technical standards, and mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update existing regulations by September 30, 2027 to accommodate automated driving technologies, including modifying rules around hours of service, drug testing, licensing, and physical qualifications. Additionally, the bill ensures regulatory flexibility by excluding automated driving technologies from certain width calculations for commercial vehicles and prevents regulations that might unfairly burden or discriminate against ADS-equipped vehicles. The bill also clarifies definitions of terms like "remote driver" and "remote assistance" to provide clear guidelines for the emerging autonomous vehicle industry, ultimately aiming to streamline the safe integration of advanced driving technologies in commercial transportation.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4661/all-info