The California Teamsters union has filed a lawsuit against state agencies, including the DMV, challenging new regulations that permit self-driving trucks on state roads. The union alleges that Governor Gavin Newsom's administration improperly implemented these rules, which they claim pose an "existential threat" to potentially 400,000 jobs in the trucking industry. The lawsuit argues that the DMV failed to conduct a required economic study and used an abbreviated rulemaking process.

The Teamsters are seeking to halt enforcement of the regulations and have them declared invalid. They estimate that over 200,000 employee semi-truck drivers and a similar number of self-employed drivers could lose their livelihoods. This legal action comes as the US autonomous vehicle trucking market is projected to reach $18 billion by 2030.

The suit names the DMV, Department of Finance, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Governor Newsom's office and other agencies have declined to comment. This development follows Newsom's previous vetoes of legislation aimed at limiting autonomous technology in heavy vehicles. The Teamsters are reportedly hopeful that a future governor might be more receptive to their concerns.