On Friday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles asked for input on its draft regulations.
The draft regulations offer the most comprehensive standards in the country with regard to operating heavy-duty autonomous vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds, officials said. The regulations will also update existing rules for testing and deploying light-duty AVs on the state’s road, the DMV said.
“We encourage the public to participate in shaping these regulations to ensure that California remains at the forefront of innovation while keeping our roads safe,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said. “It’s time to take the next step and continue to responsibly advance technology that has the potential to not only enhance safe and sustainable transportation options but also to create new jobs and opportunities for workers within the evolving transportation sector.”
The draft regulations are designed to establish high safety standards, the DMV said, and underscore the state’s commitment to public safety, technological innovation and AV technology and testing and deployment.
The DMV is looking for input from the public and other stakeholders through October 14, 2024. Comments will be considered by the DMV begins the formal rulemaking process, officials said. The formal rulemaking process will also include a notice of proposed regulations and an opportunity for public comments. Officials said the draft regulation is not a formal regulatory proposal.
“California continues to lead the nation in transportation innovation as we embrace new technologies,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said. “The meticulous, phased-in approach we are taking in this rulemaking process is designed to yield the safest and most comprehensive regulations for autonomous vehicles.”