CA AB1777

Commencing July 1, 2026, manufacturers of autonomous vehicles operating without a human operator in the vehicle must maintain a dedicated emergency response telephone line available 24/7 to emergency response officials at no cost, with calls answered within 30 seconds by a remote human operator with vehicle situational awareness.

Manufacturers must equip each autonomous vehicle with a two-way voice communication device enabling emergency response officials near the vehicle to contact a remote human operator within 30 seconds, with the operator able to immobilize, allow movement, or direct movement of the vehicle as needed.

Emergency response officials may issue emergency geofencing messages directing autonomous vehicles to leave or avoid specified areas, and manufacturers must direct their fleet to comply within two minutes of receiving such a message.

Peace officers may issue notices of autonomous vehicle noncompliance when observing alleged violations of traffic laws by an autonomous vehicle while autonomous technology is engaged; manufacturers must provide issued notices to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours or as otherwise determined by the department.

Commencing January 1, 2030, autonomous vehicles with model year 2031 or later and gross vehicle weight rating under 8,501 pounds may only operate under deployment permits if they are zero-emission vehicles.