Regulations

Regulation Proposals and Drafts

The Department of Motor Vehicles is requesting stakeholder input via informal written feedback on proposed draft regulatory language. This draft regulatory language reflects the department’s continued interest in creating a framework that facilitates the safe testing and deployment of autonomous technology on public roads, addresses public safety, and encourages innovation.

The draft regulatory language is intended only to encourage public feedback and is not a formal regulatory proposal.

Please submit any input regarding the attached potential draft regulatory language and above questions by email to AutonomousVehicles@dmv.ca.gov, no later than October 14, 2024. Submissions must include the name of the person or organization; the department will not accept anonymous feedback. Please do not include any sensitive personally identifying information such as social security number, driver license number, or financial account number on the request. All input received are a part of the public record and may be publicly accessible.

Request for Comments on AV Draft Regulations

Article 3.7 Express Terms

Article 3.8 Express Terms

Development Milestones

Learn more about the important milestones we have hit as we have worked to develop regulations for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles. 

Autonomous Light-Duty Motor Trucks (Delivery Vehicles)

On December 16, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved revised regulations allowing for the testing and deployment of autonomous motor trucks (delivery vehicles) weighing less than 10,001 pounds on California’s public roads (with an approved permit from DMV). DMV can begin approving new applications as of January 16, 2020.

• Order to Adopt
• Final Statement of Reasons

In developing and adopting these regulations, DMV followed the same approach used for past autonomous vehicle regulations packages, including a hearing and workshop open to public comment.

DMV regulations continue to exclude the autonomous testing or deployment of vehicles weighing more than 10,001 pounds.

Public Hearings and Workshop Videos Archive

DMV started considering the implications of testing and deploying autonomous vehicles on our roads in 2013. Since that time, we have held a series of workshops and public hearings to hear from and educate the public. If you have not been able to attend one of these workshops or hearings, you can watch the videos here.