The proposed "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 physically present behind the wheel until 2036, ensuring they possess a valid driver's license and are capable of controlling the vehicle. The bill outlines specific prohibitions on operating autonomous vehicles in sensitive areas such as school and construction zones, and restricts the use of autonomous commercial motor vehicles to testing purposes unless further approved by the national highway traffic safety administration. Additionally, it introduces definitions for key terms related to autonomous vehicles and requires these vehicles to be equipped with data recording mechanisms and cameras to capture incidents.

The bill also amends existing laws by requiring owners or operators to notify the Department of Transportation five days prior to testing on public highways, providing detailed information about the vehicle and its automated systems. It establishes compliance with state and federal safety standards and prohibits local governments from banning the testing or operation of autonomous vehicles based solely on their automated systems. Furthermore, it introduces financial responsibility requirements, setting minimum coverage amounts for autonomous vehicles and creating a new endorsement for commercial driver's licenses specifically for operating autonomous commercial motor vehicles. The provisions of this act are 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