Full Breakdown
California Expands Police Authority Over Autonomous Vehicle Violations
5/3/2026, 12:08:50 PM
New DMV Rules Allow Police to Issue Noncompliance Notices
Effective 1 July 2026, California’s DMV will let police issue a “notice of AV noncompliance” to operators of an autonomous vehicle that commits a moving violation, placed in vehicle or handed to a company. Operators must report it within 72 hours (24 hours for priority cases). Companies must answer emergency calls within 30 seconds and vacate zone within two minutes. Repeated noncompliance may trigger DMV investigations that could suspend or revoke permits.
Background & Key Players
The 2024 law exempted cars from citations, leaving a gap. Rules respond to incidents including a Waymo robotaxi making a U-turn in San Bruno, Waymo vehicles stalling during December 2023 San Francisco blackout, and robotaxis blocking driveways or passing buses. Key figures: DMV Director Steve Gordon, Carnegie Mellon professor Phil Koopman, State Senator Dave Cortese, SF Emergency Management Director Mary Ellen Carroll, and Waymo (Alphabet) and Tesla.
Enforcement Mechanics
Notices carry no monetary fine; a $300 penalty is deemed insufficient to affect Waymo. Companies must answer emergency calls within 30 seconds and vacate zone within two minutes. Violation reports will be compiled for operating-license reviews.
Official Statements, Criticism & Gaps
DMV Director Steve Gordon said it is leading the nation in AV development and that the rules reinforce California’s public-safety commitment. Senator Dave Cortese warned the state has taken over law-enforcement and stripped localities of revenue. Professor Phil Koopman said the notice system shows progress but lacks fines. Mary Ellen Carroll reported robotaxis are committing more violations. Critics note cities lose revenue without fines; Cortese and Koopman say $300 fine would not change behavior. Sources disagree whether notices are “non-monetary” or carry a $300 fine; it is unclear how citation data will affect California Public Utilities Commission licensing decisions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state's commitment to public safety,” — Steve Gordon, DMV Director
- “This really shows the DMV trying to make progress on fixing problems based on what we’ve seen go wrong,” — Phil Koopman, Carnegie Mellon professor
- “We’re going to have to have something well beyond today’s new DMV regulations to hold them accountable in a way that they really feel it for misbehavior on the roads,” — Dave Cortese, Senator
- “They are committing more traffic violations,” — Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director, SF Emergency Management
What’s Next
Senator Dave Cortese is sponsoring Senate Bill 1246 to give cities and counties enforcement powers over autonomous vehicles. The DMV will review noncompliance notices and may suspend or revoke permits for firms that fail to correct violations. Operators must also provide a manual-override for first responders and keep a 30-second communication window during emergencies.
