The State of California has modified its autonomous vehicle (AV) regulations allowing police officers to issue violations related to autonomous vehicles that do not follow traffic laws.
Since the development of driverless vehicles, the police had faced a difficult situation as they could not issue citations when driverless vehicles violated traffic rules; however, the state Department of Motor Vehicles has changed that.
Under new rules that come into force from July 1, 2026, police can now issue an AV non-compliance notice directly to the car manufacturer.
It will force manufacturers to respond to calls from authorities within 30 seconds and allow police to issue fines if cars enter active emergency zones.
In a press release announcing the new regulations, DMV Director Steve Gordon said, “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.”
Steve praised the new law as one of the most comprehensive AV regulations in the United States.
The new rules are part of a broader 2024 law that calls for strict regulations on the technology and comes into effect after several reports of traffic violations by self-driving vehicles.
One particular incident that highlighted the need for a new law was a massive blackout in San Francisco in which Waymo taxis were stopped in the middle of the roads, worsening already congested traffic.
