California proposes steps to allow small self-driving delivery trucks on roads
April 12 (Reuters) - California regulators on Friday proposed regulations that would allow vehicle manufacturers to test or deploy small self-driving delivery trucks on public roads, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said in a statement.
Manufacturers will be allowed to test autonomous delivery vehicles weighing less than 10,001 pounds with an approved permit from the regulator, the DMV said. (http://bit.ly/2P6stU5)
It was not clear if these delivery vehicles will be required to have a safety driver while testing, as is required for passenger cars.
The regulator will hold a public hearing at its Sacramento headquarters on May 30 to gather inputs on the proposed regulations.
Currently, 62 companies have valid permits to test autonomous vehicles with a safety driver on California public roadways. (Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
