The proposed regulations are open during a 45-day public comment period ending June 9th.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released proposed rules on Friday for testing heavy commercial vehicles that are self-driving on public roads in the state.
We also proposed updating guidelines for lightweight self-driving vehicles (AVS). If new regulations are adopted, applications for AV testing will follow a step-by-step permit process.
“These include updated protocols for AV interaction with first responders and new law enforcement procedures to report potential violations of traffic restrictions by AVS,” the DMV said.
The proposed regulations are open during a 45-day public comment period ending June 9th. The state will then hold a hearing to gather additional information about the regulations.
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The initial process requires that the AV manufacturer obtain permission to test with the safety driver. After completing the required test miles, the test has submitted a report that allows you to apply for driverless testing and deployment permissions.
According to a letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the program exempts US automakers from AVS safety regulations intended for research or demonstration purposes.
To maintain safety, the NHTSA said it would require vehicles with specific advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems, report crash incidents, streamline the reporting process and remove “unnecessary and duplicate requirements.”
NHTSA’s chief counsel Peter Simschauzer said the move will allow AV makers to “expect less time by developing unnecessary processes quickly, while improving safety.”
The move has been welcomed by the AV industry, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association calls it a “bold and necessary step” to boost the country’s AV innovation.
However, highway and motor vehicle safety advocates have expressed disappointment at the administration’s move, underscoring the need to strengthen information on the safety of self-driving cars on public roads.
The group said “troubling incidents” have already occurred in cities where self-driving cars are currently deployed, and without safety regulations and transparency, “the success of AV deployments can be at risk at best and in the worst case scenario could have fatal consequences.”
The Epoch Times reached for Dot to comment on the group’s concerns and did not receive a response at the time of publication.
