This provision allows certain driverless-capable or system-equipped vehicles to operate on public highways, but only if stated safety and compliance conditions are met.
1. A driverless-capable vehicle may operate on the public highways of this state without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle, if the vehicle meets all of the following conditions: a. The vehicle is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a malfunction of the automated driving system occurs that renders the system unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task within the system’s intended operational design domain, if any. b. While in driverless operation, the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department. c. The vehicle has been certified by the vehicle’s manufacturer to be in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, except to the extent an exemption has been granted for the vehicle under applicable federal law or by the national highway traffic safety administration. 2. a. The operation of a system-equipped vehicle capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task within the automated driving system’s operational design domain on the public highways of this state while a conventional human driver is present in the vehicle shall be lawful. During such operation, the conventional human driver shall possess a valid driver’s license pursuant to section 321.174 and shall be subject to the financial liability coverage requirements and penalties set forth under section 321.20B. The conventional human driver shall operate the system-equipped vehicle according to the manufacturer’s requirements and specifications, and shall regain manual control of the vehicle when prompted by the automated driving system. b. An automated driving system, while engaged, shall be designed to operate within the system’s operational design domain in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department. 3. Except as provided in this section, the motor vehicle laws of this state shall not be construed to require a conventional human driver to operate a driverless-capable vehicle that is being operated by an automated driving system. The automated driving system, while engaged, shall be deemed to fulfill any physical acts required of a conventional human driver to perform the dynamic driving task. 2019 Acts, ch 75, §2 Referred to in §321.514, 321.519