Texas Law Cracks Down On Self-Driving Car Companies

A new Texas law went into effect today that will increase oversight on self-driving car companies.

Autonomous vehicle companies must now get authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (TxDMV) to run their cars in the state.

Texas Senate Bill 2807, outlined the new law, going into effect in September. However, the final rules became effective in February, making all provisions of the bill enforceable beginning today, May 28.

These new laws come after months of controversy surrounding the autonomous vehicles, including multiple incidents in Austin, Tx. Reports of Waymos, operated by Uber, passing school buses and blocking emergency vehicle responses to a shooting on Sixth Street raised concerns over the regulation of these vehicles.

"An automated motor vehicle that is a commercial motor vehicle shall operate in accordance with Subtitle F and any other applicable laws or regulations of this state or a political subdivision of this state governing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, except that any provision of a commercial motor vehicle law that by its nature reasonably applies only to a human driver does not apply to an automated motor vehicle operating with the automated driving system engaged," says the Texas Transportation Code.

Each autonomous vehicle must adhere to all traffic laws and the TxDMV has the authority to issue and revoke these authorizations. Laws for these vehicles are codified in Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter J, Chapter 545.

“Congress should not pursue a one-size-fits-all legislative approach that implements the same policies for autonomous passenger vehicles and commercial trucks," the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association wrote to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. "The introduction of autonomous technology to both classes presents distinct safety challenges that should be addressed and regulated on separate paths.”

Previous oversight of self-driving vehicles has been very limited and this new law is changing how state agencies can limit these car companies.