Regulations

Regulation Proposals and Drafts

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is initiating a formal rulemaking to update its regulations governing the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) and invites stakeholders and the public to provide written comments on the proposed regulatory language.

The proposed rules apply to both light-duty and heavy-duty AVs. For heavy-duty vehicles over 10,001 pounds, testing and deployment are now possible with a DMV-approved permit. The updated regulations also improve data reporting requirements for light-duty vehicles and incorporate legislative updates from AB 1777, such as improved interaction protocols with first responders and new procedures for reporting potential non-compliance with traffic regulations. These comprehensive requirements underscore the DMV’s commitment to public safety and regulatory robustness in the evolving field of autonomous technology.

The 45-day public comment period for these regulations begins on April 25, 2025, and runs through June 9, 2025. Written comments may be submitted to LADRegulations@dmv.ca.gov during the 45-day period. After the comment period, the DMV will host a public hearing to gather additional public input. Proposed regulations are available on Rulemaking Actions – California DMV.

Development Milestones

Learn more about the important milestones we have hit as we have worked to develop regulations for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles. 

Autonomous Light-Duty Motor Trucks (Delivery Vehicles)

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.

• Order to Adopt (PDF)
• Final Statement of Reasons (PDF)

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.

Public Hearings and Workshop Videos Archive

DMV started considering the implications of testing and deploying autonomous vehicles on our roads in 2013. Since that time, we have held a series of workshops and public hearings to hear from and educate the public. If you have not been able to attend one of these workshops or hearings, you can watch the videos here.