The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has adopted a brand-new set of autonomous vehicle (AV) regulations.
Under the updated regulations, AV manufacturers may apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicle technology on California roads.
The rules, which have been noted are the most comprehensive AV regulations in the nation, are the result of an extensive public comment and review process. They also aim to expand safety and oversight requirements for all classes of AVs, allowing law enforcement to cite AV companies for any moving violations committed by their vehicles, requiring AV companies to respond to first responder calls within 30 seconds and authorising emergency officials to issue electronic geofencing directives to clear AVs from active emergency zones.
Under the regulations and implementation of AB 1777, local government emergency officials may issue a temporary do not enter or restricted area zone to manufacturers in the event of a public safety issue. During this time, AVs will not be permitted to enter said area whilst the incident is unfolding, and any AV already inside the zone must exit and no additional AVs may enter.
Any AVs found violating this restriction may be subject to permit restrictions or suspension, depending on the circumstances of the incident. The regulations aim to establish enhanced safety readiness criteria in the permitting process, new standards for remote operations personnel and broader data reporting and enforcement tools.
DMV Director Steve Gordon said:California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety.
These updates support the growth of the AV industry by enhancing public safety and transparency while adding additional accountability for AV manufacturers.
Regulation highlights include:
- Permitting Criteria: Requires manufacturers to begin with testing using a safety driver and progress to driverless testing before applying for commercial deployment, with manufacturers ordered to complete 50,000 miles (light-duty) or 500,000 miles (heavy-duty) of testing at each phase and prepare a structured safety case demonstrating the safety of vehicle hardware, software and operations
- AV Moving Violations: Establishes a process for law enforcement to issue a Notice of AV Noncompliance to manufacturers when an AV commits a moving violation
- First Responder Interaction: Requires annual updates to first responder interaction plans, access to manual vehicle override systems, two-way communication links with 30-second response times and updated training requirements in order to ensure safe and timely interactions with first responders
- Emergency Response: Authorises local emergency response officials to issue emergency geofencing directives to AV manufacturers and requires AV manufacturers to direct their fleets to leave the identified areas within two minutes of receiving such messages – limiting conflicts with AVs during emergency situations
- Remote Operations: Establishes standards for remote operations personnel, including licensing qualifications and permitting and training requirements for remote drivers and assistants
- Data Reporting: Modernises AV data reporting requirements, focusing on new safety metrics including system failures, vehicle immobilisations and hard braking events; also expands collision reporting and requires data on vehicle miles traveled.
- Enforcement Tools: Authorises the DMV to impose targeted operational restrictions on AV manufacturers — including fleet size, location, speed and weather limits — when necessary for public safety
- Testing and Deployment of Heavy-Duty Autonomous Vehicles: Removes the prohibition on operating AVs with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, opening the California market to AV freight operations; requires heavy-duty AVs to stop at CHP weigh stations and comply with all applicable state and federal commercial motor vehicle requirements
- Medium-Duty AV Passenger Vehicles: Allows AV transit vehicles up to 14,001 pounds GVWR to be operated by public entities or universities
All new regulations have now been officially adopted, with certain provisions in immediate effect. A full list of effective dates can be found on the DMV website, here.
