The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released draft regulations on Friday, outlining the rules for operating autonomous vehicles on highways, including self-driving trucks for long-haul deliveries.

The proposed framework initially requires safety drivers for both light and heavy autonomous vehicles. Public comments on the draft will be accepted until October 14.

These regulations come amid increased scrutiny of autonomous driving technology due to various accidents involving self-driving vehicles. If approved, the regulations could benefit autonomous trucking startups, enabling them to advance their technology, though they also pose a potential threat to trucking jobs.

Companies like Alphabet's Waymo and General Motors' Cruise have faced challenges with regulators following incidents involving their autonomous vehicles, including accidents in city intersections and serious crashes. At the same time, autonomous trucks have had some success in long-haul freight operations, with firms like Waabi using safety drivers to transport cargo along planned routes in Texas.

Reactions to the DMV's draft regulations have been mixed.

The Teamsters Union, a major labor organization representing truck drivers and other workers in the U.S., criticized the proposal, arguing they threaten jobs and public safety. In contrast, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association said the draft is "an important step" toward improving road safety and strengthening California's supply chain.

The draft regulations were released just a day after the California Assembly passed two safety bills requiring human operators in driverless trucks and mandating that autonomous vehicle manufacturers report any accidents or traffic violations. These bills await approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom to become law.

(With input from Reuters)