Texas lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to regulate fleets of autonomous vehicles. The proposal would require companies to get special permits and register these vehicles with the Texas DMV before they hit the roads.

The details: This new regulation targets fleets of driverless cars and trucks but not privately owned ones. Lawmakers want to keep an eye on how these autonomous fleets perform and address any issues swiftly.

• Autonomous vehicle makers must report all collisions to the federal government, but Texas wants more oversight on these technologies within the state.
• Senator Robert Nichols, who heads the Senate Transportation Committee, said, “The state needs to be in a position to step in and have a set of rules,” reported the Houston Chronicle.

Why it matters: The regulations aim to balance innovation with public safety. Lawmakers hope to support the autonomous vehicle industry while ensuring Texans stay safe on the road.

What's next: The legislation will be introduced soon, and companies will need to follow the new permit and registration process once it's passed.