LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Should self-driving semi-trucks, tractor trailers, and buses be allowed on Nevada roads? That is the debate before lawmakers. Those big self-driving trucks are already being tested in states like Texas. Senate Bill 395 would stop the autonomous trucks and even buses from coming to Nevada. It would require a human operator inside the vehicle at all times.
“I ask the question, ‘Who here would put their child, one of our most prized possessions, on a bus without a driver?,‘” questioned Jason Gateley with the Teamsters Union testifying before Nevada lawmakers. Members of the union, which represents CCSD bus drivers, asked state lawmakers to support Senate Bill 395 to protect jobs and people’s safety.
“I don’t think we want to be known at the first state to allow an autonomous vehicle to kill a resident here,” asserted Tony Freitas, Vice-President of Teamsters Local 14.
“A system malfunction in a 4,000 pound sedan is not the same as on in a 30,000 pound autonomous freight truck,” argued bill sponsor Sen. James Ohrenschall of Las Vegas. Ohrenschall says the law would apply to vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds or that could carry more than eight passengers.
“Our current framework does not distinguish between those smaller, personal vehicles and large more complex vehicles such as commercial trucks, or passenger shuttles or buses. These larger vehicles present greater risk due to their size, weight, and occupancy levels,” Ohrenschall contended.
“By reducing human error such as fatigue and distraction, autonomous trucks can make our roads safer,” explained William Horne representing TechNet, a national, bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives. Those in favor of the new technology including self-driving ride companies like Motional who has been testing driverless vehicles in Vegas since 2016 investing 10 of millions of dollars in Nevada say the bill jeopardizes progress.
“The reason Motional chose to come to and invest in Nevada is because of this state’s forward-thinking approach and hospitable regulatory environment…This bill creates uncertainty for the industry and risks future investment in Nevada,” reported Ed Garcia representing Motional.
Nevada law does allow autonomous vehicles but while several companies are in testing phases, the Nevada Transportation Authority tells FOX5 none are currently authorized for driverless paid passenger transport. Zoox has submitted an application, but it is pending review and approval by the NTA.
The bill has its next test Wednesday, a work session in the Senate’s Growth and Infrastructure Committee. If passed, it would go into effect October 1, 2025, and expire in 2035.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
