Amidst all the bad PR regarding driverless cars going about, California instead is putting a positive spin on the situation by announcing that they will accept applications from companies who want to perform fully driverless vehicles testing on public roads. Currently, all companies testing self-driving cars are required to have a safety driver in the car at all times.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has laid out the regulations online. Companies must meet all requirements and guidelines in order to secure a driverless permit. These guidelines cover from proper cyber security to two-way communications and testing area guidelines.
This does come as a surprise but also a welcome to the industry especially after the Uber self-driving car killed a pedestrian in Arizona. The California DMV is taking this cautiously as well and making sure that companies applying for the permit adhere to the guidelines and permit. It also created a clause that the DMV reserves the right to revoke any of the permit it gives out as well.
