The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today released proposed regulations for the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on California’s public roads, as that term is defined in the regulations, focusing on both light-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Under the proposed new framework, heavy-duty AVs weighing 10,001 pounds or more can now be tested with a DMV-approved permit. The updated regulations also refine the guidelines for light-duty AVs, enhancing data reporting requirements and implementing recent legislative changes from AB 1777 (Chapter 682, Statutes of 2024). These include updated protocols for AV interactions with first responders and a new procedure for law enforcement to report potential non-compliance with traffic regulations by AVs.
Applications received after the new regulations are implemented will be subject to a phased permitting process for AV testing and deployment. Initially, manufacturers must obtain a permit for testing with a safety driver. Subsequent phases require obtaining a Driverless Testing Permit and a Deployment Permit after completion of the required test miles and submission of a report detailing the testing conducted. These steps ensure that manufacturers meet stringent safety requirements through a comprehensive process tailored to each manufacturer’s technology and operational environment.
The proposed regulations offer the nation’s most comprehensive rules for the operation of autonomous vehicles and underscore the DMV’s commitment to enhancing public safety, fostering innovation, and establishing a robust framework for AV technology testing and deployment. The release of these regulations marks the start of a 45-day public comment period, which ends on June 9, 2025.
