The United States must put in place a federal policy framework to advance American leadership on autonomous vehicles. In January 2025, AVIA released Securing American Leadership in Autonomous Vehicles, composed of forward-leaning policy recommendations for the Department of Transportation and Congress.These recommendations build on the Department of Transportation’s Framework for Automated Driving System Safety, first begun in 2020.
AVIA’s recommendations focus on the following key areas:
AV Safety, Transparency, and Accountability
Advancing American Leadership on AVs
Supporting Supply Chain Resiliency Through Autonomous Trucking
Supporting Safety Regulators with Enhanced Resources
Protecting National Security While Promoting AV Leadership
State governments play an important role in fostering the rapid and safe deployment of AV technology by establishing frameworks for AV operation. Many state and local governments have recognized the benefits of AVs by expressly authorizing the operation of AVs on public roads. AVIA believes states should continue to play a leading role in areas such as licensing, vehicle registration, insurance requirements, and traffic enforcement.
AVIA believes state-level AV legislation should:
Expressly authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, subject to certain minimum requirements;
Require the submission of a law enforcement interaction plan before operating on the public roads of a given state;
Require that an AV meet certain threshold requirements prior to operating on public roads without a human driver, such as being capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulation
State and local policymakers:
If you are thinking about taking action in your area to develop policies for AVs, we'd like to hear from you. Please take a moment to email us at info[@]theAVindustry[dot]org and let us know how we can help.
International Policy
To advance its mission of a world where safe and trusted AVs increase road safety, boost supply chains and improve mobility opportunities for all, AVIA works collaboratively with international policymakers and industry organizations to ensure international regulatory and legislative frameworks enable the full commercial deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles and allow for broad market access to create a level playing field and competitive market environment. The Association advocates for international safety metrics and performance requirements that align with established industry practices and are compatible with all Level 4 use cases, in addition to supporting requirements set forth by UNECE and other policy-making bodies that are closely aligned, do not create unnecessary barriers to trade, and leverage existing international standards and best practices for AVs.
2024 AV Champion Senator John Thune
