California’s Department of Motor Vehicles released final rules on April 28, 2026 governing how self-driving vehicles are tested and deployed in the state, capping more than a year of drafting and public comment. The rules separate testing from broader commercial deployment and set up three staged permits: testing with a safety driver, testing with no driver, and full deployment. Most manufacturers must log at least 50,000 autonomous miles before each step up, with a lower 10,000-mile threshold for low-speed vehicles and a much higher 500,000 miles for heavy trucks, which become eligible in California for the first time. Applicants must also submit a detailed safety case explaining why the vehicle is safe, which the DMV may review with outside experts.
Other changes include a new traffic-violation notice police can issue, triggering 24- or 72-hour reporting deadlines; required first-responder interaction plans and prompt responses to emergency geofencing requests; and training and licensing standards for remote drivers and remote assistants. Large passenger buses remain ineligible, apart from a narrow exception.
