LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS

California Approves Driverless Autonomous Vehicle Testing

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced approval of regulations governing the testing and public use of autonomous vehicles without human drivers. Before these rules were approved, autonomous vehicles in California could only be tested with an approved driver. The regulations become effective on April 2, 2018, and the DMV can begin issuing permits on that date.

Under the regulations, vehicle manufacturers must obtain a driverless-testing or deployment permit from the DMV and comply with the permit requirements. This requirement does not apply to the testing or deployment of autonomous trucks or other commercial vehicles.

Utah and Nebraska May Be Next to Allow Autonomous Vehicles on Roads

The Utah legislature is considering a bill (HB371) that would allow autonomous vehicles on the roads. The bill has passed a House committee on a unanimous vote and will proceed to the full House for consideration.

Meanwhile, the Nebraska legislature is considering two bills for autonomous vehicles. One would allow researchers to test autonomous vehicles on state roads (LB1122), and the other would help launch an autonomous shuttle pilot by allowing the testing of autonomous shuttles in cities of 100,000 to 300,000 residents (LB989). Both bills are under consideration by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

Minnesota Governor Issues Executive Order to Create Automated and Connected Vehicles Advisory Council

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has issued an executive order to create an advisory council to study the opportunities that widespread adoption of automated and connected vehicles could bring to the state. Minnesota has already begun the use of an automated shuttle bus, which provided rides to Super Bowl attendees.

The advisory council will consist of 15 appointees with relevant experience in finance, transit, higher education, workforce training, insurance, automotive industry, advocacy, freight, labor and public safety.

FIRM NEWS 

Shook, Hardy & Bacon Presents on Driverless Cars in Washington, D.C.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon Partner Victor E. Schwartz presented on public policy issues affecting driverless cars at an event hosted by the Federalist Society in Washington, D.C. Among the attendees were elected officials, legal scholars, in-house representatives from auto manufacturers and other key stakeholders.   

Schwartz chairs Shook’s Public Policy Group and has been an advisor for the American Law Institute’s Restatement (Third) of Torts projects involving product liability. He has spoken at many panels throughout the country on the topic of autonomous vehicles and participated in the creation of an animated video about autonomous vehicles.