5 ms·

Draft California DMV Policy on Autonomous Vehicles

34 points by Daviey 10y ago

Daviey 10y ago
Interesting statement on the term "auto-pilot": 227.90. Statements About Autonomous Technology (a) No vehicle shall be advertised as an autonomous vehicle unless it meets all of the following requirements: (1) The vehicle meets the definition of an autonomous vehicle specified in Vehicle Code section 38750 and section 227.02(d) of this Article. (2) The vehicle was manufactured by a manufacturer licensed pursuant to Vehicle Code section 11701 also holding a valid autonomous vehicle manufacturer’s permit issued pursuant to this Article at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture. (b) Terms such as “self-driving”, “automated”, “auto-pilot”, or other statements made that are likely to induce a reasonably prudent person to believe a vehicle is autonomous, as defined, constitute an advertisement that the vehicle is autonomous for the purposes of this section and Vehicle Code section 11713.
finid 10y ago
Here's part of the relevant section that other news outlets are trumpeting: §227.54. Manufacturer’s Permit to Test Autonomous Vehicles that do not Require a Driver. A manufacturer desiring to conduct testing of autonomous vehicles capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle on public roads in California shall submit an application for a permit to conduct driverless testing to the department on Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) Program Application for a Manufacturer’s Testing Permit- Driverless Vehicles, form OL 318 (New 9/2016), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Notwithstanding the requirements of sections 227.04, 227.18, 227.20, 227.22, 227.32, 227.34 (a) through (d), and 227.40 (a)(2) and (a)(3), and 227.46 a manufacturer may conduct testing of autonomous vehicles capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle on public roads in California if all of the following requirements are met: And then follows a long list of requirements that must be met before a manufacturer can test those vehicles without a driver.
- bertil 10y ago
  Based on those, how soon should we expect empty cars being summoned from the parking lot?
  - finid 10y ago
    This is only during the testing phase.
Animats 10y ago
"The manufacturer shall be responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle, including compliance with all traffic laws, when the autonomous vehicle is operating in autonomous mode within its approved operational design domain." The California DMV has it right. Self-driving cars are allowed, but if a manufacturer screws up, they have to pay all damages and may forfeit their $5 million bond. If they screw up badly, DMV can pull their license to sell or test self-driving cars. There's practical stuff in there, such as coordinating with the California Highway Patrol with a plan for moving a stalled autonomous vehicle. (How to turn it off. How to get it to release the brakes for towing. Can it be pushed? Stuff like that.)
- brianwawok 10y ago
  So what happens... instead if you buying accident insurance the manufacturer does?
  - Animats 10y ago
    The manufacturer and the driver both need accident insurance. It's entirely possible that there will be bundled deals, especially on leased vehicles, where insurance comes with the car.
    - brianwawok 10y ago
      That could change economics a lot. I don't know what the average American driver pays for car insurance.. $80 a month? I would assume with good tech the big makers could self insure for a lot less... Leasing a car with no insurance required makes the lease payment $80+ cheaper...
      - fma 10y ago
        I guess those with bad driving records and sky high insurance would benefit quite a bit financially if they purchase an autonomous vehicle.
        10y ago
losteverything 10y ago
Can individual towns / municipalities issue rules on top of state regulations? I assume a private community with private roads (and private maintenance not state funded ) can forbid vehicles from their roads (via a gate,guard or regulation) as they do now.

34 points by Daviey 10y ago

Interesting statement on the term "auto-pilot": 227.90. Statements About Autonomous Technology (a) No vehicle shall be advertised as an autonomous vehicle unless it meets all of the following requirements: (1) The vehicle meets the definition of an autonomous vehicle specified in Vehicle Code section 38750 and section 227.02(d) of this Article. (2) The vehicle was manufactured by a manufacturer licensed pursuant to Vehicle Code section 11701 also holding a valid autonomous vehicle manufacturer’s permit issued pursuant to this Article at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture. (b) Terms such as “self-driving”, “automated”, “auto-pilot”, or other statements made that are likely to induce a reasonably prudent person to believe a vehicle is autonomous, as defined, constitute an advertisement that the vehicle is autonomous for the purposes of this section and Vehicle Code section 11713.

finid 10y ago

Here's part of the relevant section that other news outlets are trumpeting: §227.54. Manufacturer’s Permit to Test Autonomous Vehicles that do not Require a Driver. A manufacturer desiring to conduct testing of autonomous vehicles capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle on public roads in California shall submit an application for a permit to conduct driverless testing to the department on Autonomous Vehicle Tester (AVT) Program Application for a Manufacturer’s Testing Permit- Driverless Vehicles, form OL 318 (New 9/2016), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Notwithstanding the requirements of sections 227.04, 227.18, 227.20, 227.22, 227.32, 227.34 (a) through (d), and 227.40 (a)(2) and (a)(3), and 227.46 a manufacturer may conduct testing of autonomous vehicles capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle on public roads in California if all of the following requirements are met: And then follows a long list of requirements that must be met before a manufacturer can test those vehicles without a driver.

bertil 10y ago
Based on those, how soon should we expect empty cars being summoned from the parking lot?
- finid 10y ago
  This is only during the testing phase.

Animats 10y ago

"The manufacturer shall be responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle, including compliance with all traffic laws, when the autonomous vehicle is operating in autonomous mode within its approved operational design domain." The California DMV has it right. Self-driving cars are allowed, but if a manufacturer screws up, they have to pay all damages and may forfeit their $5 million bond. If they screw up badly, DMV can pull their license to sell or test self-driving cars. There's practical stuff in there, such as coordinating with the California Highway Patrol with a plan for moving a stalled autonomous vehicle. (How to turn it off. How to get it to release the brakes for towing. Can it be pushed? Stuff like that.)

brianwawok 10y ago
So what happens... instead if you buying accident insurance the manufacturer does?
- Animats 10y ago
  The manufacturer and the driver both need accident insurance. It's entirely possible that there will be bundled deals, especially on leased vehicles, where insurance comes with the car.
  - brianwawok 10y ago
    That could change economics a lot. I don't know what the average American driver pays for car insurance.. $80 a month? I would assume with good tech the big makers could self insure for a lot less... Leasing a car with no insurance required makes the lease payment $80+ cheaper...
    - fma 10y ago
      I guess those with bad driving records and sky high insurance would benefit quite a bit financially if they purchase an autonomous vehicle.
      - 10y ago

losteverything 10y ago

Can individual towns / municipalities issue rules on top of state regulations? I assume a private community with private roads (and private maintenance not state funded ) can forbid vehicles from their roads (via a gate,guard or regulation) as they do now.