**FMCSA Rejects Waymo, Aurora’s Exemption Request for Autonomous Trucks**
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has denied a request from Waymo and Aurora to exempt their autonomous trucks from a regulation requiring traditional warning devices when stopped on highways. The agency cited a lack of supporting data and necessary monitoring controls in its decision [Land Line](https://landline.media/fmcsa-denies-exemption-request-from-waymo-aurora/).
Current regulations require commercial trucks to place warning devices, such as reflective triangles or flares, at specific distances when stopped. Waymo and Aurora proposed using mounted warning beacons instead. FMCSA rejected the request, stating that the exemption was too broad and lacked sufficient safety measures.
Public comments on the request were evenly split, with 25 in favor, 25 opposed, and one neutral. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) opposed the exemption, arguing that the companies did not provide enough evidence to prove their alternative would be as safe as the current requirements. OOIDA also raised concerns about the lack of a backup system if the beacons failed.
Aurora plans to deploy up to 10 driverless trucks in Texas by spring 2025. Waymo, in partnership with Daimler, expects to launch fully autonomous trucks by 2027. FMCSA noted that companies could submit more specific exemption requests in the future.