1. (a) The following vehicles shall not be approved for testing or deployment as autonomous vehicles on public roads:

   1. (1) Trailers as defined in Vehicle Code section 242 (camp trailer), section 324 (fifth-wheel travel trailer), and section 635 (trailer coach).
   2. (2) Motorcycles as defined in Vehicle Code section 400.
   3. (3) Vehicles described in Vehicle Code section 27903.
   4. (4) Vehicles used by Household movers, as defined in the Business and Professions Code section 19225.5, under the Household Mover Permit, pursuant to section 19237 of that code.
   5. (5) Commercial motor vehicles used to transport oversize loads (i.e., any combination of vehicles that require a permit issued by the California Department of Transportation or a local agency). This does not apply to vehicle equipment that is permanently attached and required for safe operation of a vehicle. When a permit is required for equipment permanently attached to the vehicle, the manufacturer shall provide the department with evidence of a permit that has been approved by the authorized issuing entity.

   6. (6) Autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles used to transport passengers. This regulation shall not apply to autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles used to transport passengers in the following cases:

      1. (A) To a manufacturer of an autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicle designed to carry property, when transporting passengers (e.g., third-party validators, business partners, manufacturer personnel) for testing and demonstration purposes.
      2. (B) Commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,001 pounds, classified as buses under Vehicle Code section 233(b) and designed to carry no more than 15 passengers, when operated by or in partnership with a public entity as defined in Government Code section 811.2 or independent institutions of higher education as defined in the California Education Code section 66010(b). A manufacturer operating under this exemption shall provide to the department any complete and unredacted terminal inspection reports and all attachments including but not limited to the CHP 343, CHP 407F, and the CHP 345, if applicable, issued by the California Highway Patrol within 30 business days of receipt.
   7. (7) Commercial motor vehicles used to transport bulk liquids, requiring a tank endorsement, as defined in the Vehicle Code section 15278.
   8. (8) Salvage vehicles that are not able to perform the dynamic driving task in a manner that is consistent with the definition of SAE International's Levels 3, 4, or 5, unless the manufacturer provides the department with a completed Statement of Facts, REG 256 form (REV. 8/2008), which is hereby incorporated by reference, signed by an authorized representative of the manufacturer certifying that the automated driving system is capable of operating as designed in the intended operational design domain.
2. (b) A permit to test or deploy autonomous vehicles is not a substitute for and does not replace any other license or permit requirement that may be necessary for a manufacturer's intended operation of vehicles on public roads.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 1651 and 38750, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 242, 260, 324, 400, 410, 431, 544, 635, 8050-8058 and 38750, Vehicle Code.

History

1. New section filed 5-19-2014; operative 9-16-2014 pursuant to Vehicle Code section 38750(f) (Register 2014, No. 21).

2. Renumbering of former section 227.26 to section 227.30 and renumbering and amendment of former section 227.34 to section 227.26 filed 2-26-2018; operative 4-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 9).

3. New subsection (g) filed 12-16-2019; operative 12-16-2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2019, No. 51).

4. Renumbering of former section 227.26 to section 227.24 and renumbering of former section 227.28 to subsection 227.26, including amendment of section and Note, filed 4-28-2026; operative 4-28-2026 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2026, No. 18).