California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service)
[in effect]California · other · other
Jurisdiction
California
Classification
other
Status
in effect
Effective Date
Sep 16, 2014, 12:00 PM UTC
Primary Sources
12 audited
Statutory Scope & Summary
California's two-regulator AV framework. The DMV regulates the vehicle under 13 CCR sections 227.00-228.20 (statutory base Vehicle Code 38750-38755), with three permit tiers: testing-with-driver, driverless testing (227.38), and deployment. The CPUC separately regulates paid passenger (robotaxi) service via its Drivered and Driverless Deployment programs, so a fare-charging robotaxi needs BOTH a DMV permit and CPUC authority; the CPUC approved driverless passenger fares (Waymo, Cruise) in San Francisco on Aug 10, 2023. HEAVY-TRUCK NUANCE: for about a decade the DMV regulations EXCLUDED vehicles with GVWR at or above 10,001 lbs (heavy trucks); a statutory ban (AB 316, 2023) requiring a human operator was vetoed by Governor Newsom; the DMV then adopted new regulations on Apr 28, 2026 that REMOVE the heavy-truck exclusion and authorize autonomous trucks and transit (with phased requirements, e.g. heavy-duty test-mile thresholds and weigh-station stops). So California applies to passenger AVs throughout, and to autonomous trucks as of the April 2026 rules. The framework's statutory base and implementing detail are tracked as separate registry entities: Cal. Veh. Code 38750 (statutory base) and the 13 CCR sections 227.02 (definitions), 227.04 (manufacturer's testing permit), 227.26 (vehicles excluded), 227.42 (driverless testing permit), 227.54 (collision reporting), 227.56 (disengagement reporting), 228.02 (deployment definitions), and 228.08 (deployment permit application).
Covered Sectors & Application Domains
Regulatory Analysis & Inquiries
6 entriesWhat does California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) cover?
California's two-regulator AV framework. The DMV regulates the vehicle under 13 CCR sections 227.00-228.20 (statutory base Vehicle Code 38750-38755), with three permit tiers: testing-with-driver, driverless testing (227.38), and deployment. The CPUC separately regulates paid passenger (robotaxi) service via its Drivered and Driverless Deployment programs, so a fare-charging robotaxi needs BOTH a DMV permit and CPUC authority; the CPUC approved driverless passenger fares (Waymo, Cruise) in San Francisco on Aug 10, 2023. HEAVY-TRUCK NUANCE: for about a decade the DMV regulations EXCLUDED vehicles with GVWR at or above 10,001 lbs (heavy trucks); a statutory ban (AB 316, 2023) requiring a human operator was vetoed by Governor Newsom; the DMV then adopted new regulations on Apr 28, 2026 that REMOVE the heavy-truck exclusion and authorize autonomous trucks and transit (with phased requirements, e.g. heavy-duty test-mile thresholds and weigh-station stops). So California applies to passenger AVs throughout, and to autonomous trucks as of the April 2026 rules. The framework's statutory base and implementing detail are tracked as separate registry entities: Cal. Veh. Code 38750 (statutory base) and the 13 CCR sections 227.02 (definitions), 227.04 (manufacturer's testing permit), 227.26 (vehicles excluded), 227.42 (driverless testing permit), 227.54 (collision reporting), 227.56 (disengagement reporting), 228.02 (deployment definitions), and 228.08 (deployment permit application).
Where does California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) apply?
California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) is recorded as a other applying in California on the DEPLOY registry.
When did California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) take effect?
California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) is recorded as effective September 16, 2014 on the DEPLOY registry.
Is California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) still in effect?
California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) is currently in effect and applies to covered operators in the named jurisdiction.
What types of robots does California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) apply to?
California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service) is recorded as applying to autonomous vehicles, truck on the DEPLOY registry.
Which robot models on the DEPLOY registry fall under California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service)?
8 robot models on the DEPLOY registry match the form-factor scope of California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service): 789D AHS, 930E AHS, ARC (Autonomous Relay Convoy), Apollo RT6 and 4 others. Form-factor scope match does not by itself establish compliance status; review the underlying primary sources for each operator.
Primary Sources & Legal Instruments
12 documents- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/california-autonomous-vehicle-regulations/Official Source
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/california-autonomous-vehicle-regulations/
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/Official Source
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38Official Source
https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/new-autonomous-vehicle-regulations-strengthen-oversight-and-enforcement-authorize-trucks-and-transit/Official Source
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/new-autonomous-vehicle-regulations-strengthen-oversight-and-enforcement-authorize-trucks-and-transit/
- https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/autonomous-vehicle-programsOfficial Source
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/autonomous-vehicle-programs
- https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-approves-permits-for-cruise-and-waymo-to-charge-fares-for-passenger-service-in-sf-2023Official Source
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-approves-permits-for-cruise-and-waymo-to-charge-fares-for-passenger-service-in-sf-2023
- https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-issues-first-driverless-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-service-deployment-permitOfficial Source
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-issues-first-driverless-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-service-deployment-permit
- https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/2026/05/08/california-finalizes-a-new-regulatory-regime-for-testing-and-deploying-autonomous-vehicles/Official Source
https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/2026/05/08/california-finalizes-a-new-regulatory-regime-for-testing-and-deploying-autonomous-vehicles/
- https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/californian-autonomous-vehicles-get-a-revised-regulatory-load-if-new-dmv-law-passesOfficial Source
https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/californian-autonomous-vehicles-get-a-revised-regulatory-load-if-new-dmv-law-passes
- https://www.ccjdigital.com/equipment-controls/autonomous/article/15634977/california-governor-vetoes-driverless-trucking-billOfficial Source
https://www.ccjdigital.com/equipment-controls/autonomous/article/15634977/california-governor-vetoes-driverless-trucking-bill
- https://www.freightwaves.com/news/californias-long-wait-for-autonomous-trucks-may-soon-endOfficial Source
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/californias-long-wait-for-autonomous-trucks-may-soon-end
- https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-legislation-databaseOfficial Source
https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-legislation-database