Texas lawmakers are eyeing new rules for autonomous vehicle fleets. These proposed regulations would demand companies inform the Texas DMV and get permits before running driverless vehicles.

What's happening: The legislation focuses on autonomous commercial vehicles and passenger cars. Sen. Robert Nichols, Senate Transportation Committee Chair, emphasized, "The state needs to be in a position to step in and have a set of rules."

By the numbers: Only fleets would need these permits, not private individuals with driverless cars.

• The permits would help track issues in fleets and allow Texas to halt their use if needed.
• Current federal laws only require reporting crashes involving autonomous vehicles.

These steps aim to keep innovation flowing, while adding some oversight. Nichols noted, "The industry is already working with us, we do not want to disrupt that," as reported the Houston Chronicle.