California DMV sets out rules of road for autonomous car future
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has proposed new regulations for testing and deploying fully autonomous vehicles. The new rules propose that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is given greater authority to develop safety standards, a framework is established for autonomous vehicle testing and developing the requirements manufacturers must meet to sell, lease or make their self-driving vehicle outside of testing. A public hearing will be held on  25 April 2017, in Sacramento.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released proposed regulations to establish a path for testing and future deployment of fully autonomous vehicles without drivers.

The proposed regulations address public safety concerns while recognizing the potential of autonomous technology to improve safety, enhance mobility and encourage innovation. The proposed regulations:

Recognize that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is vested with the authority to develop Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and enforce compliance with safety and performance standards for motor vehicles. DMV is requiring certification to meeting these federal safety standards.

Establish a framework for testing without a driver.

Identify requirements that a manufacturer must meet in order to sell, lease, or otherwise make their vehicle available outside of a testing program.

Address other key topics related to autonomous vehicle deployment, including driver licensing and responsibility, vehicle registration, and advertising of autonomous vehicles.

To gather public input on the regulations, the department will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, in Sacramento.

These rules expand our existing autonomous vehicle testing program to include testing vehicles where no driver is present. This is the next step in eventually allowing driverless autonomous vehicles on California roadways. —DMV Director Jean Shiomoto

The DMV received substantial feedback from manufacturers, consumer advocates, local government, insurance companies, and other stakeholders after it released revised draft regulations for testing without a driver and the deployment of autonomous vehicles in September 2016.