Driverless Cars Coming To California This April

CALIFORNIA -- The future is here. The state Department of Motor Vehicles announced this week it will begin issuing permits for self-driving cars in April.

The state agency said the Office of Administrative Law approved regulations governing the driverless testing and public use of autonomous vehicles on California roads. Prior to these rules, autonomous vehicles could only be tested in California with an approved driver.

“This is a major step forward for autonomous technology in California,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said. “Safety is our top concern and we are ready to begin working with manufacturers that are prepared to test fully driverless vehicles in California.”

This second set of regulations for autonomous vehicles in California establishes rules for testing autonomous technology without a driver and how manufacturers can allow the public to use self-driving cars. The regulations become effective on April 2, and DMV can begin issuing permits on that date.

Testing regulations that require a driver behind the steering wheel took effect in September 2014. To date, 50 manufacturers have a permit to test autonomous vehicles with a driver. Manufacturers can continue to apply for a test permit with a driver, the DMV said.

Under the new regulations, vehicle manufacturers must obtain a driverless testing and/or a deployment permit from the DMV and comply with the permit requirements, if they wish to either test an autonomous vehicle without a driver or allow the public to use their autonomous technology.

Requirements for Driverless Testing include:

• Certify that local authorities, where vehicles will be tested, have been provided written notification
• Certify the autonomous test vehicle complies with requirements that include a communication link between the vehicle and remote operator, a process to communicate between the vehicle and law enforcement, and an explanation of how the manufacturer will monitor test vehicles
• Submit a copy of a law enforcement interaction plan
• Certify the autonomous test vehicle meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or provide evidence of an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Certify the autonomous test vehicle is capable of operating without the presence of a driver and meets the autonomous technology description of a Level 4 or Level 5 under the Society of Automotive Engineers definitions
• Inform the DMV of the intended operational design domains
• Maintain a training program for remote operations and certify each operator has completed training
• Submit an annual disengagement report and submit collision reports to the DMV within 10 days

For more regulations, go to www.dmv.ca.gov.