The board must set the application process for automated motor vehicle authorization, and the department must approve compliant applications and issue an operating number.
Sec. 545.456. AUTHORIZATION TO OPERATE AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) The board by rule shall prescribe the form and manner by which a person may apply to the department for authorization to operate automated motor vehicles to transport property or passengers in furtherance of a commercial enterprise on highways and streets in this state without a human driver. (b) The rules adopted under Subsection (a) must require a person to provide the following to the department: (1) a written statement by the person that includes: (A) the person's contact information; and (B) vehicle descriptive information as prescribed by the department; (2) a written statement by the person or the manufacturer of the vehicle or the automated driving system acknowledging that each automated motor vehicle is: (A) capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to this subchapter; (B) equipped with a recording device, as defined by Section 547.615(a), installed by the manufacturer of the automated motor vehicle or automated driving system; (C) equipped with an automated driving system in compliance with applicable federal law, including federal motor vehicle safety standards; (D) capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a failure of the automated driving system occurs that renders the system unable to perform the dynamic driving task relevant to its intended operational design domain; (E) registered and titled in accordance with the laws of this state; and (F) covered by motor vehicle liability coverage or self-insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of coverage that is required under the laws of this state or federal law, as applicable to the type and use of the vehicle; and (3) a certification acknowledging that the Department of Public Safety has been provided the plan required by Section 545.455(c)(2). (c) On receipt of an application under this section and verifying that the application complies with the rules adopted under Subsection (a), including satisfying the requirements described by Subsection (b), the department shall approve the application and issue a unique operating number to the applicant authorizing the operation of automated motor vehicles on highways and streets in this state without a human driver. (d) An authorization issued by the department under this section does not expire and remains active unless suspended, revoked, or canceled by the department. (e) The person issued an authorization under this section shall provide to the department in the form and manner prescribed by the department an update to a document described by Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) not later than the 30th day after the date material information in the document changes. (f) The department may immediately suspend, revoke, or cancel the authorization issued under this section if the authorization holder fails to comply with: (1) Subsection (e); or (2) department requests for an updated or current document described by Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3). (g) The department shall promptly rescind a suspension, revocation, or cancellation imposed under Subsection (f) upon receiving the updated or current document as requested by the department. (h) A determination under Subsection (f) is not a contested case under Chapter 2001, Government Code. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 973 (S.B. 2205), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1034 (S.B. 2807), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.