- (a) The autonomous vehicle test driver has situational awareness of the automated driving system and the vehicle in relation to the driving environment or is actively monitoring the vehicle's operations and capable of taking over immediate physical control.
- (b) The autonomous vehicle test driver is an employee, contractor or designee of the manufacturer.
- (c) The autonomous vehicle test driver shall obey all provisions of the Vehicle Code, California Code of Regulations, and local ordinances applicable to the operation of motor vehicles whether the vehicle is in autonomous mode or conventional mode, except when necessary for the safety of the vehicle's occupants and/or others, including vulnerable road users.
- (d) The autonomous vehicle test driver knows the limitations of the vehicle's autonomous technology and is capable of safely operating the vehicle in all conditions under which the vehicle is tested, or can be reasonably expected to encounter, on public roads.
- (e) Certification that each test driver of an autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicle shall comply with the hours-of-service regulations set forth in the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 395, and Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations section 1212.5 for the type of vehicle being driven or operated.
A manufacturer shall not conduct testing of an autonomous vehicle on public roads unless the vehicle is operated or driven by an autonomous vehicle test driver who meets each of the following requirements:
Note: Authority cited: Sections 1651 and 38750, Vehicle Code. Reference: Section 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 227.32 to section 227.24 and renumbering of former section 227.18 to section 227.32, including amendment of subsection (c) filed 2-26-2018; operative 4-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 9).
3. Amendment filed 4-28-2026; operative 4-28-2026 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2026, No. 18).