California Imposes Fines for Autonomous Vehicle Violations, Requires Automakers to Assist in Emergencies

Starting July 1, 2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented new regulations allowing law enforcement agencies to issue "Autonomous Vehicle Violation Notices" to companies operating self-driving vehicles that violate traffic laws. Applicable violations include running red lights and failing to stop as required when school buses are loading or unloading children. Previously, autonomous taxis drew public concern due to repeated traffic violations and have already been involved in multiple safety investigations. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is among those under scrutiny, with reported issues including running red lights and driving the wrong way. The new rules also require autonomous vehicle companies to cooperate with emergency response efforts. For instance, upon request from emergency personnel, companies must respond within 30 seconds and allow authorities to issue an “electronic geofencing command” prohibiting autonomous vehicles from entering an area where an emergency is being handled; any such vehicles already inside the zone must exit immediately. Additionally, the regulations permit companies to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous trucks and establish clear requirements regarding the qualifications, licensing, and training of remote operators and support personnel.