“The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Tuesday adopted new regulations for autonomous vehicles, allowing manufacturers to test and deploy heavy-duty driverless vehicle technology on the state’s roads…
Here are a few details:
- The move lifts the ban on operating autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds (4,536.4 kg), opening California to autonomous freight operations.
- However, vehicles will still be required to stop at patrol stations and comply with state and federal commercial motor vehicle rules.
- Medium-duty autonomous vehicles up to 14,001 pounds will be allowed to be operated by public agencies and universities.
- In 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to prevent heavy-duty driverless trucks from operating in the state.
- The DMV had since been working toward developing a regulatory framework to lift that restriction.
- The new rules require manufacturers to begin with testing using a safety driver and progress to driverless testing before applying for commercial deployment.
- Manufacturers must complete 50,000 miles (80,467.2 km) for light-duty vehicles and 500,000 miles for heavy-duty vehicles for testing at each phase.”
From Reuters.
