_Regulation · Other_

# California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service)

Canonical ID: `30b0491c-c6e6-481f-a6b0-76af69477e5a`

- **Jurisdiction:** [California](/locations/california.md) (id: `fdf937a9-5eeb-4e8d-a514-ef860b351b30`)
- **Kind:** `other`
- **Status (derived):** in_effect
- **Effective:** 2014-09-16

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).

## Sources (12)

1. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/california-autonomous-vehicle-regulations/
2. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/
3. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38
4. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/new-autonomous-vehicle-regulations-strengthen-oversight-and-enforcement-authorize-trucks-and-transit/
5. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/autonomous-vehicle-programs
6. 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
7. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-issues-first-driverless-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-service-deployment-permit
8. https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/2026/05/08/california-finalizes-a-new-regulatory-regime-for-testing-and-deploying-autonomous-vehicles/
9. https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/californian-autonomous-vehicles-get-a-revised-regulatory-load-if-new-dmv-law-passes
10. https://www.ccjdigital.com/equipment-controls/autonomous/article/15634977/california-governor-vetoes-driverless-trucking-bill
11. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/californias-long-wait-for-autonomous-trucks-may-soon-end
12. https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-legislation-database

## Status history

- **in_effect** · 2026-04-28 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5b-1 AV-truck state laws)
    - California DMV adopted new AV regulations (Apr 28, 2026) removing the >=10,001 lb heavy-truck exclusion and authorizing autonomous trucks and transit (phased). Reverses the longstanding truck exclusion (AB 316 statutory ban had been vetoed 2023).
- **in_effect** · 2014-09-16 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5b-1 AV-truck state laws)
    - California DMV AV regulations (13 CCR) in effect since 2014 (testing) / 2018 (deployment); CPUC paid driverless passenger service authorized Aug 10, 2023. Heavy trucks (>=10,001 lb) EXCLUDED during this period.

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