Do You Know Which States Have Autonomous Vehicle Laws?
Zoox, a self-driving car company that Amazon recently bought, is testing its RoboTaxi in Las Vegas. The autonomous car can seat four passengers at a time. But how legal is a car that has neither a driving seat nor a steering wheel? It depends on where you live. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there are at least 36 states that have enacted legislation or issued executive orders regarding autonomous vehicles. Below we will provide the states with autonomous vehicles legislation or executive orders. We will also include portions of legislation and relevant links.
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States With Autonomous Vehicle Laws
The following states have autonomous vehicle legislation or executive orders. Please keep in mind that this topic is rapidly changing. Current changes may not be fully reflected in the text below.
Alabama
Authorizes full deployment of commercial motor vehicles without a human operator. Alabama also authorizes truck platooning. Truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in a convoy, using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems. These vehicles automatically maintain a set, close distance between each other when they are connected for certain parts of a journey. For instance, on motorways.
Arizona
Authorizes full deployment with or without a human operator depending on level of vehicle automation.
Arkansas
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator depending on level of vehicle automation.
California
Authorizes full deployment without a human operator.
Colorado
Authorizes full deployment with a human operator. In 2019, the legislation also required the state department of transportation to convene a stakeholder group to examine the impacts of new and emerging technologies and transportation business models and make recommendations. The group had to include a representative from autonomous vehicle manufacturers and autonomous vehicle technology companies.
Connecticut
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator. In 2019, Connecticut eliminated the requirement under the existing autonomous vehicle pilot program that operators be seated in an autonomous vehicle’s driver’s seat while testing the vehicle.
Delaware
Study on autonomous vehicles authorized.
Florida
Authorizes full deployment with or without a human operator depending on the level of vehicle automation. In 2019, Florida removed the requirement that a person possesses a valid driver’s license to operate a fully autonomous vehicle.
Georgia
Authorizes full deployment with or without a human operator depending on the level of vehicle automation. Georgia also specifies that the law prohibiting following too closely does not apply to the non-leading vehicle in a coordinated platoon. It defines a coordinated platoon as a group of motor vehicles traveling in the same lane utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology to automatically coordinate the movement of the vehicles.
Hawaii
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing.
Idaho
Authorized a study on autonomous vehicles.
Illinois
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator
Indiana
Regulates truck platooning.
Kentucky
Regulates truck platooning.
Louisiana
Authorizes full deployment of commercial motor vehicles without a human operator. Regulates truck platooning. In Louisiana, “platoon” or “platooning” means a group of individual motor vehicles, including any truck, truck-tractor, trailer, semitrailer, or any combination of these vehicles, utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology to travel in a unified manner at close following distances. A platoon may be operated if the platoon operator submits an operational plan.
Maine
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing.
Massachusetts
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator.
Michigan
Authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human operator. Michigan also specifies that the requirement that commercial vehicles maintain a minimum following distance of 500 feet does not apply to vehicles in a platoon.
Minnesota
Authorized a study on autonomous vehicles. Minnesota defines vehicle platoon as a group of commercial vehicles traveling in a unified manner through the use of a platooning system or systems.
Mississippi
Regulates truck platooning.
Nebraska
Authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles with or without a human operator. Nebraska’s legislation states that a driverless-capable vehicle may operate on public roads in the state without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle. As long as the vehicle meets certain conditions.
Nevada
In 2011, Nevada was the first state to authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles. Nevada authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human operator. The Silver State also regulates truck platooning.
New Hampshire
2019 legislation directs the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, to establish a pilot program. The pilot program is to test automated vehicle technologies on public roads within the state.
New York
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator.
North Carolina
Authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human operator. Specifies that a driver’s license is not required for an autonomous vehicle operator.
North Dakota
Authorizes full deployment with or without a human operator. In North Dakota, an autonomous vehicle must be capable of operating in compliance with all applicable federal and state law. Except to the extent exempted under applicable federal or state law.
Ohio
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing without a human operator.
Oregon
Authorized a study on autonomous vehicles. Oregon also regulates truck platooning.
Pennsylvania
Requires a human operator in the driver’s position for every vehicle, including autonomous vehicle testing. Pennsylvania defines platoon and highly automated work zone vehicle.
South Carolina
Regulates truck platooning.
Tennessee
Authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human operator. Permits ADS-operated vehicles on streets and highways in the state without a driver in the vehicle if it meets certain conditions.
Texas
Authorizes full deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human operator. Texas allows the use of a connected braking system in order to maintain the appropriate distance between vehicles.
Utah
Authorizes full deployment without a human operator. Regulates truck platooning.
Vermont
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing with a human operator.
Virginia
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing. Virginia allows the viewing of a visual display while a vehicle is being operated autonomously.
Washington
Authorizes autonomous vehicle testing without a human operator.
Wisconsin
Authorized a study on autonomous vehicles. Regulates truck platooning. Wisconsin defines platoon as a group of individual motor vehicles traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds.
Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
We hope this review of autonomous vehicle laws gives you some insight into autonomous vehicle legislation. If you or a loved one have been injured by an autonomous vehicle, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you determine what steps to take next.
The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of personal injury lawyers and staff ready to help you. We offer you the expertise you need to go against parties who are dedicated to keeping you from receiving the compensation you deserve. Our office is conveniently located in Henderson, Nevada. If you are unable to visit our offices, our injury lawyers can come to you. With decades of car accident law experience behind us, we offer you the best opportunity to gain the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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