DEPLOYDatabase

Proposed: not yet in effect · 2026-09-30

Signed into law Sep 30 2026; operative requirements by July 1 2028 (not yet in effect).

Regulation · Operational restriction · Proposed

California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1246 (Sen. Dave Cortese) on Sep 30 2026.

By July 1 2028 it requires autonomous vehicle remote drivers to be based in the United States with a U.S. driver's license, requires AV companies to notify local jurisdictions of vehicle location and status during system-wide failures, guarantees first responders on-site "local incident technicians," establishes local penalties when an AV blocks first-responder operations during an emergency for more than 30 minutes, and adds reporting on company response times. The DMV is to adopt guidelines on technician response times.

Sponsored by SEIU California; supported by the California Professional Firefighters, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, California Police Chiefs Association and League of California Cities, among others (senator-stated). Builds on [AB 1777](/regulations/california-ab-1777-av-first-responder-2024).

Jurisdiction: United States/California · Effective 2028-07-01

Machine-readable surfaces

Sources (4)

  1. https://sd15.senate.ca.gov/news/major-victory-public-safety-accountability-oversight-and-emergency-response-standards · 2026-09-30
  2. https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/01/robotaxi-operators-will-face-fines-for-blocking-first-responders/ · 2026-10-01
  3. https://x.com/Tesla_Optimus_K/status/2106897440309973194 · 2026-10-04
  4. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1246

Status history

  • Proposed · 2026-09-30 · editor:dr-update-bot (Cortese release)

    Signed into law Sep 30 2026; operative requirements by July 1 2028 (not yet in effect).

Common questions

What does California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles cover?
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1246 (Sen. Dave Cortese) on Sep 30 2026. By July 1 2028 it requires autonomous vehicle remote drivers to be based in the United States with a U.S. driver's license, requires AV companies to notify local jurisdictions of vehicle location and status during system-wide failures, guarantees first responders on-site "local incident technicians," establishes local penalties when an AV blocks first-responder operations during an emergency for more than 30 minutes, and adds reporting on company response times. The DMV is to adopt guidelines on technician response times. Sponsored by SEIU California; supported by the California Professional Firefighters, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, California Police Chiefs Association and League of California Cities, among others (senator-stated). Builds on [AB 1777](/regulations/california-ab-1777-av-first-responder-2024).
Where does California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles apply?
California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles is recorded as a operational_restriction applying in California on the DEPLOY registry.
When did California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles take effect?
California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles is recorded as effective July 1, 2028 on the DEPLOY registry.
Is California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles still in effect?
California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles is proposed but not yet in effect; subject to revision before adoption.
What types of robots does California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles apply to?
California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles is recorded as applying to autonomous vehicles on the DEPLOY registry.
Which robot models on the DEPLOY registry fall under California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles?
8 robot models on the DEPLOY registry match the form-factor scope of California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles: ASI Autonomous Vehicle, Apollo RT6, Aptiv ADAS, Argo AI Self-Driving System and 4 others. Form-factor scope match does not by itself establish compliance status; review the underlying primary sources for each operator.
Methodology: Unreviewed · 4 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-10-05

Verification posture

Unreviewed

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-10-05

Architectural position

Cohort: av

Sources by quality tier

3
unclassified
Unclassified source
1
secondary-industry-publication
Industry publication

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for California SB 1246 sets remote-operations and first-responder standards for autonomous vehicles.

Canonical ID a0c4076a-8262-4a38-a21b-503caef2e53d