# What are the rules for robotaxis in California?

**Two regulators, and since July 2026 a first-responder duty.** California splits robotaxi oversight in two: the DMV permits the vehicle under title 13 of the state code, and the CPUC separately authorizes charging passengers, so a fare-carrying robotaxi needs both. Since July 1, 2026, AB 1777 has also required a 24-hour first-responder line and a two-minute emergency geofence response.

Last verified Jul 1, 2026. 26 sources.

## Short answer

California is unusual in splitting robotaxi oversight between two agencies, and the split is the thing most people get wrong. The DMV regulates the vehicle itself through title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, in three permit tiers: testing with a safety driver, driverless testing, and full deployment. The CPUC separately regulates carrying passengers for money. A robotaxi that charges a fare needs authority from both.

Since July 1, 2026 there is a third layer. AB 1777, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting and chaptered in September 2024, requires any company running a vehicle with no human driver aboard to staff a first-responder phone line at all hours, to fit each vehicle with two-way voice so responders standing next to it can reach a remote operator, to train police and firefighters on the override system, and to clear or avoid an area within two minutes of an emergency geofencing message.

One more change is recent and easy to miss: for about a decade the DMV rules excluded vehicles at or above 10,001 pounds, which kept heavy autonomous trucks out. The DMV adopted new regulations on April 28, 2026 that remove the exclusion. Every rule below is a record on the registry, dated and linked to its source. A bill that is not law is marked as such.

## The two-regulator framework

| Rule | Status | Effective | Type | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service). 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). | In effect | Apr 28, 2026 | Framework | [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/california-autonomous-vehicle-regulations/), [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/), [Cornell LII (codified regulation)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38), [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/new-autonomous-vehicle-regulations-strengthen-oversight-and-enforcement-authorize-trucks-and-transit/), [CPUC (official)](https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/autonomous-vehicle-programs), [CPUC (official)](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), [CPUC (official)](https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-issues-first-driverless-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-service-deployment-permit), [Sidley Austin](https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/2026/05/08/california-finalizes-a-new-regulatory-regime-for-testing-and-deploying-autonomous-vehicles/), [Crowell & Moring](https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/californian-autonomous-vehicles-get-a-revised-regulatory-load-if-new-dmv-law-passes), [Commercial Carrier Journal](https://www.ccjdigital.com/equipment-controls/autonomous/article/15634977/california-governor-vetoes-driverless-trucking-bill), [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/californias-long-wait-for-autonomous-trucks-may-soon-end), [NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures)](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-legislation-database) |

## Every California robotaxi rule on the record

| Rule | Status | Effective | Type | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| California AB 1777 requires driverless vehicles to support first responder communication and emergency geofencing. California enacted Assembly Bill 1777, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, which the state chaptered on September 27, 2024 and which became operative on July 1, 2026. The law requires companies that operate autonomous vehicles without a human driver present to maintain a dedicated emergency response telephone line for first responders during all hours, to equip each vehicle with a two way voice communication device so first responders near the vehicle can reach a remote operator, to provide training for law enforcement and firefighters on the vehicle override system, and to direct their fleet to leave or avoid an area within two minutes of receiving an emergency geofencing message from emergency response officials. This record is attributed to the enacted text of AB 1777 as published by the California Legislature. | In effect | Jul 1, 2026 | Operating duty | [California Legislature (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1777), [CalMatters Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab1777) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.04: Requirements for a Manufacturer's Testing Permit. Sets the requirements for a Manufacturer's Testing Permit: the first phase of California's staged autonomous-vehicle permit process (testing with a safety driver in the vehicle). Amended effective April 28, 2026 (OAL File 2025-0415-04). Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Permit rule | [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.04), [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 228.02: Definitions. Defines the terms used in Article 3.8 (Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles) of California's autonomous-vehicle regulations. Amended effective April 28, 2026 (OAL File 2025-0415-04). Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Framework | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-8-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-228.02) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.26: Vehicles Excluded from Testing and Deployment. Governs vehicles excluded from autonomous-vehicle testing and deployment. As amended (effective April 28, 2026, OAL File 2025-0415-04), removes California's prohibition on operating autonomous vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or greater, creating a regulatory path for heavy-duty/commercial AV testing and deployment, while continuing to exclude household movers, transport of passengers, oversize loads, hazardous materials, and bulk liquids requiring a tank endorsement. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Operating duty | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.26) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.02: Definitions. Defines the terms used in Article 3.7 (Testing of Autonomous Vehicles) of California's autonomous-vehicle regulations. Amended effective April 28, 2026 (OAL File 2025-0415-04). Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Framework | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.02) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.56: Monthly Disengagement Reporting. New section in the amended framework (effective April 28, 2026, OAL File 2025-0415-04) establishing monthly disengagement reporting. The disengagement reporting historically referenced as § 227.50 has been restructured into a monthly cadence at § 227.56. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Safety standard | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.50) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.42: Driverless Testing Permit Application Requirements. Application requirements for a Manufacturer's Permit to Test Autonomous Vehicles That Do Not Require a Driver: the driverless (second) phase of California's staged permit process. Manufacturers must complete minimum-mileage testing under a Drivered Testing Permit and submit a Safety Case before applying. Amended effective April 28, 2026 (OAL File 2025-0415-04); previously numbered § 227.38. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Permit rule | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.54: Reporting Collisions. Requires a manufacturer to report collisions involving a permitted autonomous vehicle. As amended (effective April 28, 2026, OAL File 2025-0415-04), crash reporting aligns with US DOT / NHTSA guidelines. Previously numbered § 227.48. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Safety standard | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.48) |
| 13 Cal. Code Regs. § 228.08: Application for a Permit for Post-Testing Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles on Public Roads. Application requirements for a Permit for Post-Testing Deployment of autonomous vehicles on public roads: the deployment (final) phase of California's staged permit process. The manufacturer's Safety Case must include evidence demonstrating that operation of the automated driving system does not pose an unreasonable risk of accident, death, or injury. Amended effective April 28, 2026 (OAL File 2025-0415-04); previously numbered § 228.06. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Apr 2, 2018 | Permit rule | [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf), [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-8-2025-0415-04-pdf), [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-228.06) |
| Cal. Veh. Code § 38750: Autonomous Vehicles. California's foundational autonomous-vehicle statute. Defines 'autonomous technology' and 'autonomous vehicle' (SAE Level 3-5) and requires a manufacturer to obtain DMV approval and meet safety-certification and $5 million insurance requirements before operating on public roads beyond testing. Current text amended by SB 480 (Stats. 2025, ch. 415), effective Jan 1, 2026. Part of California's broader autonomous-vehicle framework (see california-av-regulations, the comprehensive DMV plus CPUC entity). | In effect | Jan 1, 2013 | Safety standard | [California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=38750) |

## Proposed, but not law

| Rule | Status | Effective | Type | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SB 1246 (Cortese) would set remote-operator rules, but it is not law. Senate Bill 1246 would require remote operators and technicians responding to autonomous vehicles to hold valid California driver's licenses and to be based within the United States, would require passenger-service fleets to keep a ratio of remote assistants to vehicles of 1 to 5 or higher at all times, and would require a disabled vehicle blocking a traffic lane to be relocated or removed as soon as possible and no later than 5 minutes if it is driveable, or 30 minutes if field personnel are needed. The bill passed committee on a 7 to 1 vote on July 1, 2026 and was re-referred to Appropriations. It is not enacted, and no regulation record exists for it. | Proposed, not enacted | Jul 1, 2026 (as reported) | Bill | [CalMatters Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260sb1246) |

## How we know this

- [California Legislature (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1777)
- [CalMatters Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab1777)
- [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-7-2025-0415-04-pdf)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.04)
- [California Regulatory Notice Register (oal.ca.gov)](https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2025/04/2025-Notice-Register-No.-17-Z-April-25-2025.pdf)
- [California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) adopted regulatory text](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/adopted-regulatory-text-article-3-8-2025-0415-04-pdf)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-228.02)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.26)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.02)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.50)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.38)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-227.48)
- [Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/13-CCR-228.06)
- [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/california-autonomous-vehicle-regulations/)
- [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/)
- [California DMV (official)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/new-autonomous-vehicle-regulations-strengthen-oversight-and-enforcement-authorize-trucks-and-transit/)
- [CPUC (official)](https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/autonomous-vehicle-programs)
- [CPUC (official)](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)
- [CPUC (official)](https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-issues-first-driverless-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-service-deployment-permit)
- [Sidley Austin](https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/2026/05/08/california-finalizes-a-new-regulatory-regime-for-testing-and-deploying-autonomous-vehicles/)
- [Crowell & Moring](https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/californian-autonomous-vehicles-get-a-revised-regulatory-load-if-new-dmv-law-passes)
- [Commercial Carrier Journal](https://www.ccjdigital.com/equipment-controls/autonomous/article/15634977/california-governor-vetoes-driverless-trucking-bill)
- [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/californias-long-wait-for-autonomous-trucks-may-soon-end)
- [NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures)](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles-legislation-database)
- [California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=38750)
- [CalMatters Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260sb1246)

## Common questions

### Can police ticket a robotaxi in California?

Since AB 1777 became operative on July 1, 2026, operators of driverless vehicles must maintain a dedicated emergency response telephone line for first responders at all hours, fit each vehicle with two-way voice communication so responders nearby can reach a remote operator, train law enforcement and firefighters on the override system, and direct the fleet to leave or avoid an area within two minutes of an emergency geofencing message. That is the enacted text on DEPLOY's record.

### Who regulates robotaxis in California?

Two regulators. The DMV permits the vehicle under title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 227.00 to 228.20, with three tiers: testing with a driver, driverless testing, and deployment. The CPUC separately authorizes paid passenger service. A robotaxi charging a fare needs both a DMV permit and CPUC authority.

### What is AB 1777?

California Assembly Bill 1777, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, chaptered on September 27, 2024 and operative on July 1, 2026. It requires operators of vehicles running without a human driver to keep a first-responder phone line open at all hours, fit two-way voice communication in each vehicle, train police and firefighters on the override system, and clear or avoid an area within two minutes of an emergency geofencing message.

### What is SB 1246?

Senate Bill 1246 is proposed and not enacted. It would require remote operators to hold California driver's licenses and be based in the United States, require a ratio of remote assistants to passenger-service vehicles of 1 to 5 or higher at all times, and require a driveable disabled vehicle blocking a lane to be moved within 5 minutes. It passed committee 7 to 1 on July 1, 2026 and was re-referred to Appropriations. No regulation record exists for it.

### Are autonomous trucks allowed in California?

They were excluded for about a decade: the DMV rules did not cover vehicles at or above 10,001 pounds, and a statutory ban requiring a human operator was vetoed by the governor in 2023. The DMV then adopted regulations on April 28, 2026 that remove the heavy-truck exclusion and authorize autonomous trucks and transit, with phased requirements. That change is on the record as a status event.

### Where can you actually ride a robotaxi in California?

The CPUC approved driverless passenger fares in San Francisco on August 10, 2023. Which operators run in which cities is tracked separately on DEPLOY's robotaxi coverage page rather than duplicated here, because a city launch is a deployment record, not a rule.

## Keep reading

- [Is Tesla FSD legal in France?](/is-tesla-fsd-legal-in-france.md): Self-driving & FSD
- [Where is Tesla FSD approved in Europe?](/where-is-tesla-fsd-approved-in-europe.md): Self-driving & FSD
- [How much does Tesla FSD cost?](/how-much-does-tesla-fsd-cost.md): Self-driving & FSD
- [Who is liable in an FSD accident?](/who-is-liable-in-an-fsd-accident.md): Self-driving & FSD
- [All verified answers](/answers.md): Every standing question DEPLOY tracks.

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