Driverless Cars Will Start Getting Tickets In California Starting July 1

"California regulators are moving to close a longstanding loophole that left driverless vehicles effectively immune to ticketing, with new rules taking effect July 1 that allow law enforcement to cite autonomous vehicle companies for traffic violations."

"The Department of Motor Vehicles will issue Notices of AV Noncompliance when driverless cars break traffic laws, including running red lights, failing to yield to pedestrians, or entering active emergency scenes."

"Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1777 in 2024 directing the DMV to create a new enforcement protocol for driverless vehicles but stopping short of traditional tickets and fines."

"The DMV will also have authority to impose operational limits on autonomous vehicle fleets, including restrictions on size, service areas, speed, and use during certain weather conditions when deemed necessary for public safety."

Starting July 1, California will implement new regulations granting city officials authority over driverless vehicle companies. These regulations include the ability to ticket for traffic violations, stipulate fleet sizes, and utilize geofencing during emergencies. The Department of Motor Vehicles will issue Notices of AV Noncompliance for traffic law violations. Companies must report incidents within specified timeframes. The DMV can also impose operational limits on autonomous vehicle fleets for public safety. This move addresses a loophole that previously left driverless vehicles immune to citations.

Read at sfist.com