California legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB1246: Autonomous vehicles.
Status: Chaptered, September 30, 2026
What the bill says
An act to add Section 13519.18 to the Penal Code, and to amend, repeal, and add Section 38751 of, to add Section 38754 to, to add the heading of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 38750) to Division 16.6 of, and to add Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 38800) to Division 16.6 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. vehicles Autonomous vehicles. (1) Existing law authorizes the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle operated if specified requirements are satisfied…
From the chaptered text, September 30, 2026:
An act to add Section 13519.18 to the Penal Code, and to amend, repeal, and add Section 38751 of, to add Section 38754 to, to add the heading of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 38750) to Division 16.6 of, and to add Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 38800) to Division 16.6 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. vehicles Autonomous vehicles. (1) Existing law authorizes the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle operated if specified requirements are satisfied. Existing law prohibits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads until the manufacturer submits an application to the Department of Motor Vehicles (department), as specified, and that application is approved. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the submission and approval of an application, including, among other things, any testing, equipment, and performance standards the department concludes are necessary to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, as specified. Existing law requires manufacturers of autonomous vehicles that operate without a human operator physically present in the vehicle, except as provided, to comply with certain requirements, including, among other things, to maintain a dedicated emergency response telephone line that is available for emergency …