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California to begin ticketing driverless cars that violate traffic laws

May 2, 2026

California has introduced new regulations allowing law enforcement to hold autonomous vehicle manufacturers accountable for traffic violations committed by their driverless cars, which will take effect on July 1st. Previously, police officers were unable to issue tickets to these vehicles due to the absence of drivers, even when witnessing clear traffic violations like illegal U-turns. The comprehensive rules require AV companies to respond to emergency officials within 30 seconds and impose penalties when their vehicles enter emergency zones.

Who is affected

  • Autonomous vehicle manufacturers (specifically Waymo and Tesla mentioned as operating in California)
  • Police departments (including San Bruno Police Department and San Francisco emergency services)
  • San Francisco Fire Department officials
  • Residents and drivers in California cities where AVs operate (San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles County, San Bruno)
  • California's Department of Motor Vehicles

What action is being taken

  • The California DMV is implementing new regulations on autonomous vehicles
  • Police can now cite AV companies when their vehicles commit moving violations through a "notice of AV noncompliance" process
  • The new rules are requiring companies to respond to calls from police and emergency officials within 30 seconds

Why it matters

  • This regulation addresses a significant legal and public safety gap where driverless vehicles could violate traffic laws without accountability. The enforcement mechanism is particularly important because autonomous vehicles have interfered with emergency responses and created hazardous situations during incidents like power blackouts. By establishing manufacturer liability and mandatory response times, California is setting a national precedent for regulating emerging transportation technology while protecting public safety and ensuring emergency services can function effectively.

What's next

  • The new regulations will go into effect on July 1st
  • AV companies will be required to respond to emergency official calls within 30 seconds once regulations take effect
  • Penalties will be issued if AV vehicles enter active emergency zones

Read full article from source: BBC