Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways within this State. (NRS 482A.100) Under existing law, an “autonomous vehicle” is a motor vehicle that is equipped with an automated driving system which is designed to function at certain levels of driving automation, including, without limitation, fully autonomous vehicles. (NRS 482A.030) Existing law generally prohibits the testing or operation of an autonomous vehicle on a highway within this State unless a human operator is present in the vehicle and is capable of taking over immediate manual control of the vehicle under certain circumstances. (NRS 482A.070) However, such a human operator is not required for the testing or operation of a fully autonomous vehicle on a highway within this State if the vehicle is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition upon a failure of its automated driving system. (NRS 482A.070, 482A.080) Existing law authorizes the Department to impose an administrative fine, not to exceed $2,500, for a violation of any provision of existing law governing the testing or operation of autonomous vehicles on a highway within this State. (NRS 482A.220) Section 1 of this bill: (1) prohibits an autonomous vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or combined gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds from being tested or operated on a highway within this State unless a human operator who holds a commercial driver's license and is trained in operating and shutting off the vehicle is present in the vehicle and is capable of taking over immediate manual control of the vehicle under certain circumstances; and (2) similarly prohibits an autonomous vehicle with more than two axles and that is capable of transporting eight passengers or more from being operated on a highway within this State unless a human operator who holds a commercial driver's license and is trained in operating and shutting off the vehicle is present in the vehicle and is capable of taking over immediate manual control of the vehicle under certain circumstances. Under section 1, the human operator holding the commercial driver's license is required to comply with all federal and state qualifications for the type of vehicle being operated, whether in automated or nonautomated mode. Section 2 of this bill provides the provisions of section 1 become effective on October 1, 2025, and expire by limitation on September 30, 2035.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 482A.070
BDR: 482A.070