From Driver in Seat to Remote Watch: Ontario’s Two-Stream Autonomous Truck Program Unveiled

Ontario has launched a pilot program for the testing of specific truck configurations that weigh more than 4,500 kg and are equipped with automated driving systems that meet the SAE International standard for Level 3, 4, or 5 autonomy.

The 10-year pilot program runs from Aug. 1, 2025 to Aug. 1, 2035, the provincial government revealed on its website. The program will allow approved participants to safely test automated commercial motor vehicle (ACMV) technologies on Ontario roads to evaluate their performance, assess opportunities to improve road safety and support the trucking sector.

The pilot has two streams. A driver-supervised stream, where a driver will be present in the driver’s seat and be prepared to engage and take control of the vehicle as necessary.

In the driverless stream, no driver is present in the vehicle’s driver seat. An assistant, located either inside the vehicle or at a different location in Ontario, must be ready to provide oversight of the ACMV.

Those interested in participating in the pilot program, must submit an application package and receive approval from the Ministry of Transportation, and work with the ministry to develop an approved testing approach. They must also meet specific requirements related to safety, minimum insurance coverage, driver and carrier qualifications, and other conditions.

Carriers must meet one of these 3 criteria to qualify for the pilot:

• Have at least two years of experience with a “satisfactory-unaudited” carrier safety rating and be partnered with another carrier that has at least five years of experience and a similar carrier safety rating.

• Have at least three years of experience with an “excellent-audited” carrier safety rating.

• Have at least five years of experience with a “satisfactory-unaudited” carrier safety rating.

Interested carriers can download the application package here.

To participate in the pilot, carriers must also fulfill conditions that include maintaining a minimum of $10 million in public liability insurance coverage and display specific signage on the front and rear of all vehicles participating in the pilot.

By: Trucknews