**Aurora Challenges FMCSA Over Autonomous Truck Rule**
Aurora Operations has taken legal action against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) after the agency denied its request for an exemption from a trucking safety regulation. The company outlined its arguments in a court filing on February 10, claiming FMCSA made inconsistent statements before rejecting the request [Land Line](https://landline.media/aurora-outlines-arguments-for-lawsuit-against-fmcsa/).
### **The Dispute**
Aurora and Waymo had requested an exemption in 2023 to allow autonomous trucks to use warning beacons instead of traditional warning devices. FMCSA received 51 public comments—25 in favor, 25 opposed, and one neutral. Critics argued that the proposal lacked a backup plan in case the beacons failed. In December 2024, FMCSA denied the request, stating it was too broad and lacked necessary safety controls.
Aurora claims FMCSA contradicted itself by first requiring an industry-wide exemption and then rejecting the request for being too broad. The company also alleges that FMCSA initially praised its safety data but later dismissed it as insufficient.
### **Aurora’s Arguments**
Aurora plans to argue that:
– FMCSA has not provided research proving current regulations improve safety.
– The existing rules may put truck drivers at risk.
– Aurora’s safety data is stronger than FMCSA’s evidence supporting the current regulations.
– FMCSA has approved exemptions in the past with less supporting data.
– The denial hinders innovation in the autonomous trucking industry.
Aurora believes FMCSA’s decision will slow the development of driverless trucks, which the company plans to deploy in Texas this year.
### **FMCSA’s Response**
FMCSA has defended its decision, stating that the exemption lacked necessary monitoring controls to ensure highway safety. The agency has also announced plans to conduct further research on the issue. The Department of Transportation and FMCSA are expected to respond to Aurora’s lawsuit by February 24.
This case could impact the future of autonomous trucking regulations and how safety exemptions are handled in the industry.