Autonomous vehicles.
- Authorizes autonomous vehicles to use special marker lights starting January 2026 to indicate when self-driving is active.
- Requires manufacturers to maintain $5 million in insurance coverage for autonomous vehicle testing.
- Mandates autonomous vehicles store sensor data for 30 seconds before any collision and retain it for three years.
- Requires all autonomous vehicles under 8,501 pounds to be zero-emission starting with 2031 models.
Senator Archuleta's autonomous vehicle legislation establishes new visual identification requirements for self-driving cars while expanding California's regulatory framework for automated driving systems. The bill authorizes autonomous vehicles to be equipped with standardized marker lamps starting January 1, 2026, providing a visible indication when automated driving systems are actively controlling the vehicle.
The measure requires these automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps to comply with specific SAE International standards for both the lamps themselves and their light emission properties. The Department of Motor Vehicles maintains oversight of autonomous vehicle testing and deployment through a certification process that includes safety requirements, data collection protocols, and insurance mandates. Manufacturers must demonstrate their vehicles can safely alert operators to system failures and allow manual control when needed.
Beginning in 2030, the legislation requires that new autonomous vehicles under 8,501 pounds qualify as zero-emission vehicles to receive deployment permits, provided federal law permits such a requirement. The Department of Motor Vehicles cannot begin developing regulations for this provision until 2027, allowing time for technology development and public input through required hearings on driverless vehicle operations.
 Bob ArchuletaD Senator | Bill Author |  Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 | PASS |
- Authorizes autonomous vehicles to use special marker lights starting January 2026 to indicate when self-driving is active.
- Requires manufacturers to maintain $5 million in insurance coverage for autonomous vehicle testing.
- Mandates autonomous vehicles store sensor data for 30 seconds before any collision and retain it for three years.
- Requires all autonomous vehicles under 8,501 pounds to be zero-emission starting with 2031 models.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Senator Archuleta's autonomous vehicle legislation establishes new visual identification requirements for self-driving cars while expanding California's regulatory framework for automated driving systems. The bill authorizes autonomous vehicles to be equipped with standardized marker lamps starting January 1, 2026, providing a visible indication when automated driving systems are actively controlling the vehicle.
The measure requires these automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps to comply with specific SAE International standards for both the lamps themselves and their light emission properties. The Department of Motor Vehicles maintains oversight of autonomous vehicle testing and deployment through a certification process that includes safety requirements, data collection protocols, and insurance mandates. Manufacturers must demonstrate their vehicles can safely alert operators to system failures and allow manual control when needed.
Beginning in 2030, the legislation requires that new autonomous vehicles under 8,501 pounds qualify as zero-emission vehicles to receive deployment permits, provided federal law permits such a requirement. The Department of Motor Vehicles cannot begin developing regulations for this provision until 2027, allowing time for technology development and public input through required hearings on driverless vehicle operations.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 | PASS |
Bob ArchuletaD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |