AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55 and Title 65, relative to autonomous vehicles.
Summary
HB1168 amends Tennessee’s autonomous vehicle law to create a new restriction for certain commercial uses of ADS-operated vehicles. Under current law, an autonomous driving system (ADS)-operated vehicle may operate on Tennessee streets and highways without a human driver physically present if the ADS is engaged. This bill preserves that general rule, but adds an exception for vehicles used to transport property for hire or compensation in interstate commerce, and for vehicles used to transport passengers for hire or compensation.
For those commercial freight and passenger operations, the vehicle could not operate with the ADS engaged unless a human driver is seated in the driver’s seat, continuously monitoring the vehicle, able to take physical control if needed, and properly licensed for the vehicle class. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, and would therefore narrow the circumstances in which fully driverless operation is allowed in Tennessee for paid transportation services.
Impact
The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55 and, by extension, the state’s regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles and commercial motor vehicle operations. It would not eliminate autonomous operation generally, but it would impose a human-driver requirement on ADS-operated vehicles used for compensated interstate freight transport and compensated passenger transport, affecting carriers, fleet operators, and autonomous vehicle developers seeking to deploy driverless commercial services in Tennessee. The measure would likely create compliance obligations for companies operating in the trucking, rideshare, and passenger transport sectors.
Sentiment
The available committee votes suggest generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, with the House Transportation Subcommittee recommending passage with amendment by an 8-1 vote and the House Transportation Committee recommending passage with amendment by a 19-0 vote. That voting pattern indicates broad support for the bill’s approach, though the amendment language suggests members saw a need to refine the measure before final consideration. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate or public testimony.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the scope of driverless operation for commercial, for-hire autonomous vehicles. Supporters of the restriction likely view a human driver as a necessary safety backstop for interstate freight and passenger service, while opponents or skeptics may see the requirement as limiting innovation, deployment, and efficiency in the autonomous vehicle industry. The bill’s distinction between general ADS operation and commercial compensated transport suggests the debate centers on balancing safety and oversight against expanded autonomous vehicle use in transportation markets.