2018 House Bill 5749 / Public Act 377

Allow truck "platoons" on highways

Introduced in the House

March 22, 2018

Introduced by Rep. Michael Webber (R-45)

To exempt truck “platoon” operations from a traffic law requirement that trucks leave sufficient space between themselves and other trucks for an overtaking vehicle to enter the space between them. Platoon is defined as vehicles "traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds." Under current law truck drivers must leave “sufficient space between the vehicle and another truck so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.” The bill amends a <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2016-SB-995">2016 law</a> that would permit testing of driverless vehicles, subject to detailed restrictions and conditions.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

May 1, 2018

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

May 15, 2018

Passed in the House 64 to 44 (details)

To exempt truck “platoon” operations from a traffic law requirement that trucks leave sufficient space between themselves and other trucks for other vehicles to pass. Platoon is defined as vehicles "traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds." Under current law truck drivers must leave “sufficient space between the vehicle and another truck so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.” The bill amends a <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2016-SB-995">2016 law</a> that would permit testing of “platoons” of (potentially) driverless trucks traveling together on highways, subject to detailed restrictions and conditions.

Received in the Senate

May 16, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

Dec. 4, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 11, 2018

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

To exempt truck “platoon” operations from a traffic law requirement that trucks leave sufficient space between themselves and other trucks for other vehicles to pass. Platoon is defined as vehicles "traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds." Under current law truck drivers must leave “sufficient space between the vehicle and another truck so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.” The bill amends a <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2016-SB-995">2016 law</a> that would permit testing of “platoons” of (potentially) driverless trucks traveling together on highways, subject to detailed restrictions and conditions.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 17, 2018