Key facts
- Autonomous vehicle companies will face fines under a new California law if their robotaxis obstruct first responders.
- Penalties can be imposed if a robotaxi blocks police or firefighters for over 30 minutes.
- Remote operators for AVs must be U.S.-based and hold a U.S. driver's license.
- Companies must notify local jurisdictions of vehicle status during system-wide failures.
- The law takes effect in July 2028.
California has enacted a new law, Senate Bill 1246, that will impose fines on autonomous vehicle (AV) operators if their robotaxis obstruct emergency responders. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the legislation mandates that companies provide local, on-the-ground support when their AVs cause issues and can penalize them if a robotaxi blocks police or firefighters for more than 30 minutes.
The new rules aim to enhance safety and response times, holding companies accountable for disabled or interfering AVs. This follows a series of high-profile incidents in California where robotaxis reportedly broke down, disrupted traffic, or impeded first responders, with Waymo being involved in many of these cases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had previously urged AV developers to address these problems.
Under the law, remote operators controlling AVs must be based in the United States and possess a U.S. driver's license. This requirement is intended to clarify the methods companies use for remote operations. While Tesla has stated it has remote operators capable of direct control, Waymo and others utilize remote assistance where human employees provide guidance or software commands. Waymo has global remote assistance staff, including in the Philippines, and command centers in Arizona and Michigan. Zoox's remote operations teams are based in the U.S.
Additionally, AV companies must notify cities and local jurisdictions about the status of vehicles during system-wide failures and provide "local incident technicians" to assist with AV accidents and obstructions. Companies like Waymo and Zoox have indicated their intention to comply with the new legislation, which takes effect in July 2028. The California Department of Motor Vehicles will establish further guidelines on aspects like required response times.