AMERICA DRIVES Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4661

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2025-12-16T09:05:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The AMERICA DRIVES Act (H.R. 4661) aims to update federal transportation laws to support the safe integration of highly automated commercial motor vehicles (like trucks) into interstate commerce. It clarifies that federal rules override conflicting state laws requiring a human driver or occupant in these vehicles and reduces regulatory barriers to encourage innovation while maintaining safety standards.

Key Provisions

• Preemption of State Laws (Section 2): Adds a new section (31140) to title 49 of the U.S. Code, allowing commercial motor vehicles equipped with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS)—which can fully control the vehicle without human input under specific or all conditions—to operate in interstate commerce without a human driver on board or a remote human operator. The Secretary of Transportation must issue necessary regulations, but this does not mandate the use of ADS.
• Definitions: Expands section 31132 of title 49 to define key terms, including:
• ADS-equipped vehicle: A motor vehicle with an automated driving system.
• Automated driving system (ADS): Hardware and software capable of handling all driving tasks (levels 3–5 per SAE International standards; level 3 provides conditional automation, while levels 4 and 5 offer full automation without human intervention).
• Level 4: Full automation in defined conditions (e.g., specific roads).
• Level 5: Full automation in all conditions.
• Streamlining Regulations (Section 3): By September 30, 2027, the Secretary must review and update parts 350–399 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) based on a 2019 notice. This includes:
• Adapting rules originally for human drivers (e.g., hours-of-service limits, drug testing, electronic logging, commercial driver's licenses, and physical qualifications) to apply only when a human is driving, not to ADS-operated vehicles.
• Defining remote driver (a person operating the vehicle from outside without direct manual controls) and remote assistance (real-time advice from a distant human to help the ADS handle unexpected situations).
• Prohibiting new regulations that unfairly burden or discriminate against ADS-equipped vehicles compared to traditional ones.
• Excluding ADS technologies (e.g., sensors) from vehicle width calculations under safety standards.
• Regulatory Interpretations (Section 4): Directs that certain existing rules (sections 392.22 and 393.95(f) of 49 CFR) be interpreted to allow cab-mounted warning beacons (lights for visibility) on ADS vehicles, as proposed in a 2023 federal notice.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Federal Preemption: Explicitly overrides state laws mandating a human occupant in ADS-equipped commercial vehicles for interstate operations, shifting authority to federal standards (a new addition to chapter 311 of title 49).
• Regulatory Updates: Removes or clarifies applicability of human-centric rules (e.g., drug testing and licensing) for driverless ADS operations, based on SAE J3016 standards (a global guideline for vehicle automation levels). This builds on a 2019 federal proposal but makes updates mandatory by 2027.
• Flexibility Enhancements: Introduces exclusions for ADS equipment in vehicle sizing rules and permits remote operations, which were not previously addressed in federal code.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will need to develop and implement new regulations by 2027, potentially increasing workload but streamlining oversight for autonomous vehicles. This could lead to more uniform national standards, reducing conflicts with states.
• Citizens: May improve road safety and efficiency in goods transportation (e.g., fewer accidents from fatigued human drivers) and lower costs for shipping, benefiting consumers. However, it could affect jobs for traditional truck drivers.
• International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned, though harmonizing with SAE standards (used globally) could indirectly support U.S. exports of autonomous vehicle technology.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Trucking Companies and Motor Carriers: Gain flexibility to deploy driverless vehicles, potentially reducing labor costs and improving operations.
• ADS Technology Developers and Manufacturers: Benefit from clearer federal rules and preemption of state barriers, accelerating innovation and market entry.
• State Governments: Lose some authority over interstate vehicle requirements, potentially leading to challenges or adaptations in state traffic laws.
• Federal Regulators (DOT/FMCSA): Responsible for enforcement and updates, facing pressure to balance safety with innovation.
• Truck Drivers and Workers: Could see shifts in employment, with reduced need for on-board drivers but possible new roles in remote operations or maintenance.
• General Public and Road Users: Affected by increased presence of autonomous trucks on highways, with implications for safety and traffic flow.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal preemption under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring uniform interstate standards and preventing a patchwork of state rules that could hinder national commerce. Relies on SAE standards for definitions, which may invite future updates via federal adoption.
• Constitutional: Supports Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce by overriding state laws, but could face challenges if seen as infringing on states' police powers (e.g., road safety).
• Political: Promotes pro-innovation policies in the transportation sector, potentially sparking debates on job displacement versus economic growth. As an introduced bill (July 23, 2025), it reflects bipartisan interest in autonomous tech but may encounter opposition from labor unions or safety advocates concerned about unproven driverless systems.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Autonomous Mobility Ensuring Regulation, Innovation, Commerce, and Advancement Driving Reliability in Vehicle Efficiency and Safety Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (7 pages)