Relating to motor vehicles operated by an automated driving system, and making penalties applicable. Effective 7-1-19

Third, the vehicle must be certified by the vehicle’s manufacturer to be in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, except to the extent an exemption has been granted for the vehicle under applicable federal law or by the national highway traffic safety administration. The bill provides that the operation of a system-equipped vehicle capable of performing all dynamic driving tasks within the ADS’s operational design domain on the public highways while a conventional human driver is present in the vehicle shall be lawful. Such operation is subject to the provisions of Code chapter 321, including the requirement that the conventional human driver possess a valid driver’s license. The conventional human driver must operate the system-equipped vehicle according to the manufacturer’s requirements and specifications, and must regain manual control of the vehicle when prompted by the ADS. The bill provides that the motor vehicle laws of this state shall not be construed to require a conventional human driver to operate a driverless-capable vehicle that is being operated by an ADS. The ADS, while engaged, is deemed to fulfill any physical acts required of a conventional human driver to perform dynamic driving tasks. INSURANCE. The bill requires, before a system-equipped vehicle is allowed to operate on the public highways, that the owner submit to the DOT proof of financial liability coverage for the vehicle in a manner and form determined by the DOT.21, a bond filed with the DOT, a certificate of deposit filed with the DOT, or a valid certificate of self-insurance issued by the DOT. ACCIDENTS.273 where applicable and to the extent possible, and the vehicle’s owner or a person on behalf of the vehicle’s owner to promptly report the accident to law enforcement authorities.273, as applicable. NETWORKS. The bill authorizes a person to operate an on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network. An on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network may be used to facilitate the transportation of persons or goods, including transportation for hire and public transportation. An on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network may connect passengers to driverless-capable vehicles either exclusively or as part of a digital network that also connects passengers to conventional human drivers who provide transportation services in vehicles that are not driverless-capable vehicles. AUTHORITY. The bill specifies that automated driving systems and system-equipped vehicles shall be governed exclusively by the bill and regulated exclusively by the DOT. The bill prohibits a political subdivision of the state from imposing requirements, including but not limited to performance standards, specific to the operation of system-equipped vehicles, ADSs, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks that are in addition to the requirements set forth under the bill. The bill also prohibits a political subdivision of the state from imposing a tax on system-equipped vehicles, ADSs, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks where such tax relates specifically to the operation of system-equipped vehicles, ADSs, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks. PENALTIES.482, it is a simple misdemeanor for a person to do an act forbidden or to fail to perform an act required by Code chapter 321, unless a penalty is otherwise specified by law. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days or a fine of at least $65 but not more than $625 or by both.