The Autonomous Vehicle Act establishes comprehensive safety requirements for the operation of autonomous motor vehicles on public highways in New Mexico. It mandates that a human operator must be present behind the wheel until 2036, ensuring they possess a valid driver's license and can take control of the vehicle at any time. The bill prohibits the operation of autonomous vehicles in specific areas, such as school and construction zones, and limits the use of autonomous commercial motor vehicles to testing purposes until further approval is obtained from the national highway traffic safety administration. Additionally, it introduces requirements for vehicle certification, safety plan submissions to the Department of Transportation, and mandates the installation of safety features, including cameras and alerts for system failures.

The bill also amends existing laws by requiring owners or operators to notify the Department of Transportation five days before testing on public highways, providing essential details about the vehicle and its automated systems. It ensures compliance with state and federal safety standards and prevents local governments from prohibiting testing based solely on automated driving systems. Furthermore, it creates a new endorsement for commercial driver's licenses for operating autonomous commercial vehicles and sets higher financial responsibility amounts for accidents involving these vehicles. The Department of Transportation will develop rules for the new endorsement, and the act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 66-1-4.1, 66-1-4.5, 66-1-4.8, 66-7-12, 66-7-13, 66-5-65, 66-5-208