To encourage innovation and promote road safety, DMV establishes regulations governing autonomous vehicle (AV) testing and deployment on California roads.
Current Regulations
- Order To Adopt Article 3.7 Regulations (PDF)
- Order To Adopt Article 3.8 Regulations (PDF)
- Final Statement of Reasons (PDF)
Historic Regulation Proposals and Drafts
Released January 21, 2026
- Second Notice of Modifications to Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- Modified Regulatory Text Article 3.7 Express Terms (PDF)
- Modified Regulatory Text Article 3.8 Express Terms (PDF)
- Statement of Reasons for the Second Modified Regulatory Text (PDF)
Released December 3, 2025
- Notice of Modifications to Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- Modified Regulatory Text Article 3.7 Express Terms (PDF)
- Modified Regulatory Text Article 3.8 Express Terms (PDF)
- Statement of Reasons for the Modified Regulatory Text (PDF)
Released April 25, 2025
- Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action (PDF)
- Article 3.7 Express Terms (PDF)
- Article 3.8 Express Terms (PDF)
- Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF)
Released August 30, 2024
- Request for Comments on AV Draft Regulations (PDF)
- Article 3.7 Express Terms (PDF)
- Article 3.8 Express Terms (PDF)
Released November 30, 2017
- Autonomous Vehicles Second Notice of Modification (PDF)
- Autonomous Vehicles Modified Statement of Reasons (PDF)
- Autonomous Vehicles Second 15 Day Express Terms (PDF)
Released October 11, 2017
- Autonomous Vehicles Notice of Modification (PDF)
- Autonomous Vehicles Statement of Reasons (PDF)
- Autonomous Vehicles 15 Day Express Terms (PDF)
Released March 10, 2017
Revision released September 30, 2016
Released December 2015
- Draft OL 318 Form (PDF)
- Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) Program Application for Manufacturer’s Testing Permit (OL 311) – Modified March 10, 2017
- Annual Report of Autonomous Vehicle Disengagement (OL 311R) – Proposed October 11, 2017
- Report of Traffic Collision Involving an Autonomous Vehicle (OL 316) – Modified March 10, 2017
- Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) Program Application for Manufacturer’s Testing Permit – Driverless Vehicles (OL 318) – Proposed March 10, 2017, Modified October 11, 2017
- Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) Program Application for Certificate of Self-Insurance (OL 319) – Modified March 10, 2017
- Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Permit Application for Certificate of Self-Insurance (OL 319A) – Proposed March 10, 2017
- Application for Permit to Deploy Autonomous Vehicles on Public Streets (OL 321) – Proposed March 10, 2017, Modified October 11, 2017
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.
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.
Need something else?
Autonomous Vehicles
Learn more about autonomous vehicles in California, including regulations, deployment, testing permit holders, and collision reports.
AV Milestones
Learn more about the history of autonomous vehicles in California, including the development of driverless testing programs and deployment regulations.
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