CAL.Regulation
California sets emergency-response duties for driverless vehicle makers from July 2028
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1246 on September 30, 2026. From July 1, 2028, autonomous vehicle manufacturers must use U.S.-based, California-licensed remote drivers, immediately dispatch local incident technicians after crashes or official requests, notify local jurisdictions of fleetwide failures, and let remote staff move or stop driverless commercial vehicles at an emergency official's direction. They must report response data to the DMV quarterly, and city attorneys may sue for civil penalties.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
Key points
- SB 1246 amends Vehicle Code section 38751, adds sections 38754 and 38800 onward and Penal Code section 13519.18; it is operative July 1, 2028.California Legislative Information
- Remote drivers must be located in the United States and hold a valid California license of the appropriate class with required endorsements.California Legislative Information
- Manufacturers must immediately dispatch local incident technicians after a crash or an emergency official's request and notify local jurisdictions of fleetwide failures.California Legislative Information
- For driverless commercial vehicles, remote staff must be able to put the vehicle in neutral, move it as directed or keep it stationary.California Legislative Information
- Manufacturers must give the DMV quarterly response data; city attorneys and county counsel may sue for civil penalties, and violations are not crimes.California Legislative Information
- Newsom signed SB 1246, by Senator Dave Cortese, on September 30, 2026.Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
California Legislative Information
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
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