California Adopts Rules Allowing Testing And Deployment of Heavy-Duty AVs

The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Tuesday adopted new regulations for autonomous vehicles, allowing manufacturers to test and deploy heavy-duty driverless vehicle technology on the state’s roads.

The new regulations also expand safety and oversight requirements for all classes of autonomous vehicles, the California DMV said in a statement.

Here are a few details:

The move lifts the ban on operating autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds, opening California to autonomous freight operations.
However, vehicles will still be required to stop at patrol stations and comply with state and federal commercial motor vehicle rules.
Medium-duty autonomous vehicles up to 14,001 pounds will be allowed to be operated by public agencies and universities.
In 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to prevent heavy-duty driverless trucks from operating in the state.
The DMV had since been working toward developing a regulatory framework to lift that restriction.
The new rules require manufacturers to begin with testing using a safety driver and progress to driverless testing before applying for commercial deployment.
Manufacturers must complete 50,000 miles for light-duty vehicles and 500,000 miles for heavy-duty vehicles for testing at each phase.

(Reporting by Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)