Texas lawmakers are working on new regulations for fleets of autonomous vehicles. They plan to introduce legislation requiring companies with driverless trucks and cars to get special permits and registration.

The details: These rules would not apply to privately owned driverless vehicles. They are meant to track ongoing issues within fleets and potentially restrict the use of driverless vehicles if necessary.

Currently, federal law only mandates that manufacturers report any collisions involving autonomous vehicles, but state Senator Robert Nichols emphasizes the need for more oversight. "The state needs to be in a position to step in and have a set of rules," he said.

• The new regulations would require informing the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before sending a driverless vehicle out on the road.
• Companies would need to seek specific permits and registration.

This initiative is aimed at balancing the promotion of innovation in the autonomous vehicle sector with the need for safety and accountability. Lawmakers are striving for a methodology that would involve minimal disruption, reported the Houston Chronicle.

Thankfully, the industry is already collaborating with the state, so these changes shouldn’t cause major setbacks.