Commencing July 31, 2025, this bill would require a manufacturer of autonomous vehicles to report to the DMV a vehicle collision, traffic violation, or disengagement, as defined, or a barrier to access or incident of discrimination for a passenger with a disability, that involves a manufacturers vehicle in California regardless of whether the vehicle is in the testing or deployment phase. The bill would require these reports to contain specified information and to be submitted at the time the incident is identified by the manufacturer. The bill would require these reports to be submitted on a timeline adopted by the DMV that does not exceed reporting deadlines required by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The bill would additionally require a manufacturer to submit quarterly reports to the department that summarize the above-mentioned reports, vehicle miles traveled, unplanned stops, and wheelchair-accessible services, as specified. The bill would require the DMV, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Public Utilities Commission, and any other public entity it deems necessary, to create and publish an autonomous vehicle incident form and a form to report data required by these provisions by no later than July 1, 2025. The bill would require the DMV to publish all reports submitted pursuant to these provisions in an electronic, open, and machine-readable format on the departments internet website within 30 days of receipt, as specified. The bill would authorize the DMV to impose specified fines for violations of the reporting provisions and to suspend or revoke the testing and deployment permit of any manufacturer while an investigation of any violations is pending. The bill would also authorize members of the public or public entities with direct evidence of an incident to submit an autonomous vehicle incident report, as specified.
