Did you see California’s new autonomous vehicle regulations? The state recently adopted updated rules that expand testing and deployment for both light-duty and heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, including freight and transit applications.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles said the revised rules add new safety, oversight, and enforcement requirements while allowing manufacturers to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicles on public roads.

The regulations also establish new requirements for emergency response coordination, remote operations personnel, data reporting, and enforcement authority.

“California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said.

New Rules Expand Oversight and Enforcement

Under the updated regulations, law enforcement agencies can issue notices of noncompliance when an AV commits a moving violation.

The rules also require AV companies to respond to first responder communications within 30 seconds and allow local emergency officials to issue temporary electronic geofencing restrictions during emergencies. AVs already inside restricted zones must leave within two minutes, and additional AVs are prohibited from entering.

The regulations establish additional safety-readiness standards during the permitting process, including testing requirements and safety-case documentation for vehicle hardware, software, and operations.

Manufacturers must begin testing with a safety driver before progressing to driverless testing and commercial deployment. The rules require 50,000 testing miles for light-duty AVs and 500,000 testing miles for heavy-duty AVs at each testing phase.

Heavy-Duty Freight and Transit Vehicles Included

The updated rules remove California’s previous prohibition on autonomous vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,001 pounds, opening the state to heavy-duty autonomous freight operations.

Heavy-duty AVs must continue to comply with California Highway Patrol weigh station requirements and all state and federal commercial motor vehicle regulations.

The regulations also create a pathway for medium-duty autonomous transit vehicles up to 14,001 pounds GVWR to operate through public entities or universities.

Rules Add Remote Operations and Reporting Requirements

The regulations establish standards for remote operations personnel, including licensing, permitting, and training requirements for remote drivers and assistants.

The updated rules also revise AV data-reporting requirements to include system failures, vehicle immobilizations, hard braking events, collisions, and vehicle miles traveled.

In addition, the DMV can impose operational restrictions on AV manufacturers — including limits related to fleet size, operating areas, speeds, and weather conditions — when necessary for public safety.

The regulations have officially been adopted, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others scheduled to phase in over the coming months.