Self-driving Trucks and Labor Law: The Impact of Avs on Commercial Drivers and Employment Regulations

Amofah Binney
University of Illinois Urbana-champaign, United States
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2025.8507

Abstract

The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles (Avs) in Trucking Threatens to Displace 1.7 million U.s. Commercial Driver Jobs by 2040, Challenging Existing Labor Laws Designed for Human Drivers. This Study Explores the Legal and Employment Consequences of Av Adoption, using a Literature-based Analysis to Compare U.s. And Eu Regulatory Frameworks, Drawing on Reports from the Dot, Pwc, and the World Economic Forum. Key Findings Reveal Job Losses, Emerging Tech Roles (E.g., Remote Supervisors), and Gaps in Labor Protections for New Av-related Positions. Recommendations Include National Labor Law Reforms, a $75 Million U.s.-eu Pilot Retraining Program to Retrain 50% of Displaced Drivers Within 5 Years, and Clear Liability Frameworks. This Research Advocates for Balancing Technological Innovation with Worker Rights to Ensure a Just Transition.

Keywords: – Self-Driving, Autonomous vehicles, Job losses

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