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The California Department of Motor Vehicles has released proposed regulations to establish a path for testing and future deployment of fully autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver. The regulations acknowledge public safety concerns and:
- Recognize that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is vested with the authority to develop Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and enforce compliance with safety and performance standards for motor vehicles. DMV is requiring certification to meeting these federal safety standards.
- Establish a framework for testing without a driver.
- Identify requirements that a manufacturer must meet in order to sell, lease, or otherwise make their vehicle available outside of a testing program.
- Address other key topics related to autonomous vehicle deployment, including driver licensing and responsibility, vehicle registration, and advertising of autonomous vehicles.
To gather public input on the regulations, the department will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, in Sacramento.
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Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.