The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has released proposed regulations for the public use of self-driving cars. The regulations would require manufacturers to get a permit from the state and to demonstrate that their cars are safe. The proposal also includes a requirement for self-driving cars to have a human driver in the front seat who can take over control if necessary.
The DMV's proposal is the latest step in the state's efforts to promote the development and deployment of self-driving cars. California has been a leader in the self-driving car industry, and the state has already issued permits to several companies that are testing their self-driving cars on public roads.
The DMV's proposed regulations are based on the recommendations of a task force that was created by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015. The task force was charged with developing recommendations for how to safely regulate self-driving cars in California.
The task force's recommendations included the requirement for self-driving cars to have a human driver in the front seat who can take over control if necessary. The task force also recommended that manufacturers be required to get a permit from the state and to demonstrate that their cars are safe.
The DMV's proposed regulations are similar to the recommendations of the task force. However, the DMV's proposal also includes some additional requirements, such as a requirement for self-driving cars to be able to communicate with other vehicles on the road.
The DMV's proposed regulations are now open for public comment. The DMV will hold public hearings on the proposed regulations in June and July. The DMV is expected to finalize the regulations by the end of the year.
If the DMV's proposed regulations are finalized, they will be the first regulations in the United States that specifically address the public use of self-driving cars. The regulations are expected to have a significant impact on the development and deployment of self-driving cars in California and beyond.
