Twenty-one manufacturers are testing autonomous vehicles with test drivers behind the wheel on public streets in California, according to the proposed rulemaking. Meanwhile, 27 manufacturers hold a permit from DMV. But up until now there haven't been formal rules for testing fully driverless vehicles.
A hearing is set for April 25 in Sacramento to receive public comment on the proposal.
“These rules expand our existing autonomous vehicle testing program to include testing vehicles where no driver is present,” said DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement. “This is the next step in eventually allowing driverless autonomous vehicles on California roadways.”
DMV summarized the new rules in five points:
1. Recognize that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is vested with the authority to develop Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and enforce compliance with safety and performance standards for motor vehicles. DMV is requiring certification to meeting these federal safety standards. 2. Establish a framework for testing without a driver. 3. Identify requirements that a manufacturer must meet in order to sell, lease or otherwise make their vehicle available outside of a testing program. 4. Address other key topics related to autonomous vehicle deployment, including driver licensing and responsibility, vehicle registration, and advertising of autonomous vehicles.
More details about the regulations are available at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/autonomous/auto.
